Murphy gets start behind dish against Jays

TORONTO -- Catcher J.R. Murphy was given the start behind the plate for Wednesday's contest against the Blue Jays, and batted eighth in the Yankees' lineup.

Manager Joe Girardi said he wanted to give Chris Stewart a breather, and with Austin Romine still not fully recovered from a concussion he sustained last week, Murphy was his only option. It marks just the second game that Murphy has started in his Major League career.

"Stew has caught a lot and I'm trying to make sure he doesn't get burned out," Girardi said. "We have a lot of games coming up."

Girardi said Murphy, 22, looks calm behind the plate, has soft hands and has shown no nerves since being called up to the Yankees for his debut Sept. 2.

"It looks like he has an idea of what he wants to do behind the plate with our pitching staff," Girardi said. "I don't see him stabbing at balls, I don't see him jumpy."

Murphy, who hit .269 with 12 homers and 46 RBIs between Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton before his promotion, entered Wednesday's game 2-for-5 in his big league career.