Bombers bits

• The Yankees have re-signed left-hander Clay Rapada to a Minor League contract, and he will report to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Rapada was removed from the Yankees' 40-man roster last week and was expected to begin the season on the disabled list after dealing with left shoulder bursitis during Spring Training.

• Yankees outfielder Curtis Granderson (fractured right forearm) has been cleared to swing a bat underwater and could progress to hitting soft-toss and off of a tee by the weekend, according to Girardi.

• Tuesday marked Yankees right-hander David Robertson's 28th birthday.

• On this date in 1996, Andy Pettitte logged the victory as the Yankees defeated the Royals, 7-3, as snow fell for the home opener at the original Yankee Stadium. The first-pitch temperature was 38 degrees and both Joe Girardi and Tino Martinez were booed during pregame introductions, replacing former popular Yankees Mike Stanley and Don Mattingly, respectively.