The Yankees set their Opening Day roster yesterday. First the expected moves: Jeff Karstens was placed on the 15-day DL, though he’s expected to miss at least a month; Nick Green and Jose Veras were sent down, as were Edwar Ramirez and Scott Patterson.

Here’s where the surprises come in. Andy Pettitte threw 25 pitches in the bullpen yesterday and is still on schedule to pitch a minor league intrasquad game on Sunday (against Ian Kennedy) and then make a start in the first trip through the rotation in the regular season. However, because he hasn’t pitched in a spring training game since March 17 the Yankees were able to put him on the 15-day DL retroactive to that start, thus making him eligible to come off the DL to start the fifth game of the regular season a week from today against the Rays.

With Pettitte on the DL, the Yankees will have an eight-man bullpen and thus have decided to start the season without a long-man. With two extra spots available (Pettitte’s and the one expected to be filled by a long-reliever), they are taking two extra right-handed short relievers. Thus Brian Bruney, Ross Ohlendorf, and the big surprise to me, Jonathan Albaladejo will all start the season with the big club, while Kei Igawa and Darrell Rasner will both start the season in the Scranton rotation.

My only complaint is that Scott Patterson should have made the team over Albaladejo, but then Albaladejo will likely get bumped when Pettitte comes off the DL a week from today, so that’s likely moot. I’ll be curious to see if Girardi renews his desire for long man once the bullpen is down to seven men. If so, it will force another decision. For now, here are your 2008 New York Yankees:

1B – Jason Giambi (L)
2B – Robinson Cano (L)
SS – Derek Jeter (R)
3B – Alex Rodriguez (R)
C – Jorge Posada (S)
RF – Bobby Abreu (L)
CF – Melky Cabrera (S)
LF – Johnny Damon (L)
DH – Hideki Matsui (L)

R – Shelley Duncan (1B/OF)
R – Morgan Ensberg (1B/3B)
S – Wilson Betemit (IF)
R – Jose Molina (C)

R – Chien-Ming Wang
R – Mike Mussina
R – Phil Hughes
R – Ian Kennedy

R – Mariano Rivera
R – Joba Chamberlain
L – Billy Traber
R – LaTroy Hawkins
R – Kyle Farnsworth
R – Brian Bruney
R – Ross Ohlendorf
R – Jonathan Albaladejo

15-day DL: L – Andy Pettitte, R – Jeff Karstens, L – Sean Henn
60-day DL: R – Humberto Sanchez, R – Andrew Brackman, R – Carl Pavano

Mike Jacobs abused Mike Mussina and the Fish beat the Yanks 5-3.

Lineup:

L – Johnny Damon (LF)
R – Derek Jeter (SS)
L – Bobby Abreu (RF)
R – Alex Rodriguez (3B)
L – Jason Giambi (1B)
S – Jorge Posada (C)
L – Robinson Cano (2B)
R – Shelley Duncan (DH)
S – Melky Cabrera (CF)

Pitchers: Mike Mussina, LaTroy Hawkins, Jonathan Albaladejo, Edwar Ramirez

Subs: Wilson Betemit (1B), Bernie Castro (2B), Cody Ransom (SS), Nick Green (PR/3B), Jose Molina (C), Greg Porter (PR/RF), Jason Lane (CF), Hideki Matsui (LF)

Opposition: What’s left of the Marlins’ starters.

Big Hits: A solo homer and a double by Alex Rodriguez (2 for 3, BB), a pair of doubles by Johnny Damon (2 for 3), and a double by Derek Jeter (2 for 4). Jason Giambi was 2 for 4.

Who Pitched Well: Jonathan Albaladejo and Edwar Ramirez both worked around a hit for a scoreless frame and struck out one. The hit off Alabaladejo was a single. The hit off Ramirez was a triple.

Who Didn’t: Mike Mussina gave up five runs on five hits and a walk in 5 1/3 innings. Two of those hits were home runs by Mike Jacobs which accounted for three of the five runs Mussina allowed.

Ouchies: Johnny Damon (flu) played the field and went 2 for 3 with a double. Humberto Sanchez will throw off a mound for the first time since his Tommy John surgery on Monday.

More: Derek Jeter says he wants to own a team after he retires.