Bombers bits

• Second baseman Brian Roberts was not in the lineup on Thursday, as Girardi is trying to give him a full day off. Roberts appeared in all nine games thus far; Dean Anna started in his place.

"He was on pace to play 162, so I thought I would give him a day off," Girardi said.

• Outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury and left-hander Matt Thornton, members of the Red Sox last season, will receive their World Series rings on Friday. Boston manager John Farrell and general manager Ben Cherington will personally deliver the rings.

"It'll be a chance to share a moment and thank them for a great experience," Farrell said.

• First baseman Mark Teixeira (strained right hamstring) is stretching and riding a stationary bicycle but is not taking part in on-field activity. Infielder Brendan Ryan (cervical spine nerve injury) has started light baseball activity at the team's complex in Tampa, Fla.

• On this date in 1998, Tino Martinez homered and drove in five runs, Scott Brosius drove in four runs and the Yankees outslugged the Athletics, 17-13, in the home opener at Yankee Stadium. The game was witnessed by a crowd of 56,717.