NewYork.Yankees.MLB.com

By Mark Feinsand / MLB.com

Bernie Williams went 1-for-3 with an RBI single Saturday. (Kathy Willens/AP)

Williams started in center field against the Tigers in the Grapefruit League finale, going 1-for-3 with an RBI single in New York's 7-7 tie with Detroit.

"It felt like my first Spring Training game," Williams said. "The atmosphere is different from playing games at [the minor league complex], with the crowd and the adrenaline. Mentally, it's a little different."

If Williams thought that was different, imagine how he'll feel on Tuesday, when he is in the lineup for the Yankees' U.S. opener at Tropicana Field against the Devil Rays. Manager Joe Torre said he anticipates having Williams in the lineup, though he didn't say whether it would be in center field or as the team's designated hitter.

"I think I can do either one," Torre said. "I just have to make up my mind which way I want to go."

"My job is just going to be available at either position and let Joe make the decision," said Williams.

Torre did announce that Kenny Lofton, who batted ninth in the two games in Tokyo, will bat leadoff on Tuesday.

Williams, who reported to camp in terrific shape, underwent an emergency appendectomy on Feb. 26, setting his spring back significantly. He spent a couple of weeks recovering from the procedure before beginning workouts, playing in his first minor league game on March 24.

"I think he could probably use a little more work, but that will have to happen during the season," Torre said. "He seems to be very comfortable in the outfield."

Williams said that although he would like to be in center field for the team's home opener on Thursday, he'll do whatever Torre wants him to.

"It would be nice, but I don't think it's going to make or break my season if I'm not out there," Williams said. "There are more important things ahead with this team."

Despite his abbreviated spring, Williams thinks he is ready to get going on Tuesday.

"I have the at-bats, and I feel like I'm seeing the ball well," he said. "It's just a matter of getting mentally ready to play out there. Physically, I feel good."

Final tuneup: Jose Contreras did not look sharp in his final start of the spring, allowing six runs over 4 2/3 innings against the Tigers on Saturday.

Contreras allowed 10 hits and two walks, though he struck out seven, giving him 35 K's in his last 22 1/3 innings.

"My forkball was pretty bad. It stayed up in the zone. It seems like I dropped down too much and got under the ball," Contreras said through an interpreter. "When you're tired, you can't really finish your pitches, so they stay up."

Contreras may have felt some of the after effects of the trip to Japan, as several players said they felt worn down on Saturday.

"Instead of five innings," Contreras said, "I feel like I pitched 22 innings."

"I felt like a train wreck today," said Jason Giambi. "I think the jet lag caught up with us. It looked like everyone was dragging a little out there."

Despite his outing, the right-hander said he is ready to start his sophomore season. Contreras gets his first regular-season start on Friday at Yankee Stadium against the Chicago White Sox.

"I feel good mentally, I feel good physically, so I'm ready to begin the season," Contreras said. "Compared to last year, I'm very happy. I think I had a pretty good spring."

Travis to throw: Travis Lee, who is on the disabled list with an inflamed left shoulder, will try to throw on Sunday for the first time in two weeks. Torre said that if everything goes well, Lee could return in seven to 10 days.

When Lee returns, the Yankees will have to decide what to do with Tony Clark, who has been swinging a good bat in Lee's absence. Clark homered in the second game of the Opening Series, and he hit another home run in Saturday's exhibition game.

"Tony Clark is a player," Torre said. "He certainly earned a spot on this club. We'll have to figure out what we're going to do, but we have a week or 10 days for something to make up our minds."

Biff and the Bombers: Several Yankees filmed bits for a segment on CBS' "Late Show with David Letterman" on Saturday, answering questions from the show's stage manager, Biff Henderson.

Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Giambi, Lofton, Bubba Crosby and Hideki Matsui each filmed spots with Henderson, and Matsui also performed a variation of Abbott and Costello's "Who's on First?" routine.

The segment is scheduled to air April 12.

Top rookie: Before Saturday's game, Crosby was awarded the James P. Dawson Award as the Yankees' top rookie in Spring Training.

Crosby made the club after hitting .385 with two home runs and 11 RBIs in 17 games. Dom Amore from the Hartford Courant presented the award on behalf of the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

Crosby also changed his uniform number before Saturday's game, going from 62 to 19.

Karsay throws: Steve Karsay played catch on flat ground Saturday, the first time he has done so since experiencing some inflammation in his right shoulder last week. Karsay, who is on the 60-day disabled list, visited Dr. James Andrews earlier this week while the Yankees were in Japan, but no damage was found in his shoulder.

Karsay is scheduled to throw a bullpen session next Friday.

Mark Feinsand is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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