Yankees notebook: Derek Jeter fine with tweak to transfer rule

NEW YORK – Reporters surrounded Derek Jeter at his locker as he hurried to get ready and get out on the field for stretching before the Yankees' series opener against the Angels.

Major League Baseball's Playing Rules Committee had clarified its regulation on transferring the ball from glove to hand, effective Friday night. Basically it was a return to pre-2014. If the glove is opened after a catch and the ball falls out in the transfer process, it's now an out again.

"Is that right?" Jeter said.

The umpires will have to determine if there's control before the glove is opened. With the dawn of the expanded replay system this season, players were forced to make the transfer smoothly for an out to be called.

The Captain gave his approval to what MLB called the "committee's interpretation of the rule."

"That's good," Jeter said. "It made it very uncomfortable to try to turn a double play, constantly thinking, you should catch it; pull it out; don't drop it. I'm happy. ...

"I think you saw a lot of people sort of take it step by step. You're trying to be quick when you try to turn a double play."

Joe Girardi approved as well.

"I think they said with the replay, this was a year where they were going to go through some things and they're going to make some adjustments," Girardi said. "I credit them for making the adjustments and continuing to communicate with the managers and the players and the (players) association and everyone involved so we get it right."

Pinch pitching: David Phelps is scheduled to fill in for the suspended Michael Pineda Wednesday night against the Mariners at Yankee Stadium.

Pineda was in the clubhouse before the second game of his 10-game suspension for his pine tar escapade in Boston. He can do pregame activities, then he can't be around the team.

Ryan update: Brendan Ryan is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment Sunday with Single-A Tampa in his comeback from the back problems he experienced in spring training.

Girardi said the goal is for the reserve infielder to get 50 at-bats, although Girardi estimated Ryan probably had about 20 already.

"I don't imagine it'll be too long," Girardi said.

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