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          New York Yankees

          Day 35: CC across the street

          • Wallace Matthews, ESPN Staff WriterMar 28, 2015, 11:20 AM ET
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              Wallace Matthews has covered New York sports since 1983 as a reporter, columnist, radio host and TV commentator. He covers the Yankees for ESPNNewYork.com after working for Newsday, the New York Post, the New York Sun and ESPN New York 98.7 FM.
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          TAMPA, Fla. -- The "real" Yankees -- they are fielding pretty close to a definitive lineup, minus Jacoby Ellsbury and Brian McCann -- will be playing the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday at home, probably in front of a close-to-capacity crowd. Meanwhile, across the street at the developmental complex, a more important event will likely be seen by a handful of witnesses, including most of the Yankees beat crew.

          That is because CC Sabathia, who has struggled this spring, will be making a start in a minor-league game at the same time. Sabathia was torched for three home runs by the Mets in his last start, and although the radar gun says his fastball velocity is up a couple of ticks from last season, he has been hit hard in both of his starts and his spring ERA stands at 11.57. So the curiosity factor with CC is high, certainly higher than that surrounding Scott Baker, who will start the "real" game and is likely fighting for a spot in the Yankees' bullpen as a middle reliever.

          I'll be at the minor-league field today to watch CC and will provide updates via Twitter @ESPNNYYankees. The other game is available on the YES Network and on WFAN. Both start at 1:05 p.m.

          Here's the lineup vs. the Orioles:

          Brett Gardner LF

          Chase Headley 3B

          Carlos Beltran RF

          Mark Teixeira 1B

          Alex Rodriguez DH

          Chris Young CF

          Stephen Drew 2B

          Didi Gregorius SS

          Austin Romine C

          Baker RHP

          In other noteworthy events, Ellsbury, who has not played since March 15 because of an oblique strain, is scheduled to take his first live batting practice on the field. On one of the back fields, Alex Rodriguez will break out his rarely-seen first baseman's glove for some work before his first start at the position in Sunday's game against the Astros in Kissimmee.