Yanks Notes: My contribution, April 5

Top of the order: With center fielder Johnny Damon sidelined by a strained right calf, Cano batted leadoff in Thursday's contest against Tampa Bay, the first time he has done so in his career. He said the new job description didn't faze him.

"Same thing," he said. "Same game, same approach. I just play my game."

Manager Joe Torre said that he made the switch acknowledging that Cano is not the Yankees' most patient batter -- he walked just 18 times in 482 at-bats last season -- but decided on the move after reflecting on Cano's solid spring, in which he batted .338.

Torre said that he briefly considered using either Derek Jeter or Bobby Abreu as a leadoff hitter, but did not want to disrupt either player, who remained as the Yankees' Nos. 2 and 3 hitters, respectively.

"I just didn't want to mess with the guys who are hitting in those spots," Torre said.

Torre said that reserve outfielder Melky Cabrera -- who started in center field, batting ninth -- would be a more logical leadoff hitter if it turns out that Damon requires additional rest or a turn on the disabled list.

But Cabrera struggled this spring, batting .206 in 68 at-bats with just one extra-base hit, and Torre doesn't believe that Cabrera's swing has been fine-tuned enough at this point.

"Once he starts swinging the bat the way he's capable of and [we] get him more comfortable, he seems like a logical guy up there," Torre said.