Yankees' Jacoby Ellsbury: Expected to bat fifth

Manager Joe Girardi said Tuesday that he is "leaning toward" batting Ellsbury fifth, the Associated Press reports.

Analysis:

Ellsbury has been in the two-hole throughout the spring, but he's batting fifth Tuesday and Girardi suggested that is where Ellsbury will be on Opening Day. The Yankees wanted to break up Brett Gardner and Ellsbury (both lefties) at the top of the order, so the new plan is to go with Gary Sanchez in the No. 2 spot followed by Greg Bird, Matt Holliday and Ellsbury. Ellsbury has never started a regular-season game in the No. 5 spot.