TAMPA, Fla. – Lyle Overbay has emerged as the top contender to be the New York Yankees' starting first baseman with Mark Teixeira beginning the season on the disabled list.
Overbay had an RBI double Thursday as the Yankees ended their Florida segment of spring training with a 2-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Signed to a minor league contract Tuesday hours after being released by Boston, New York general manager Brian Cashman says Overbay has the inside track for the job. The Yankees released Juan Rivera, who played extensively at first during the exhibition season.
Teixeira is out until at least May with a wrist injury.
Yankees reliever Boone Logan, who left in the seventh after being hit on the left hip by pinch-hitter Jose Tabata's liner, said he was fine.
Pirates fifth starter Jeff Locke gave up four hits and had three strikeouts in six scoreless innings.
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