The Associated Press

TOKYO - Kenny Lofton's time atop the New York Yankees' batting order didn't even last until opening day.

Lofton, a leadoff hitter for most of his career, was dropped to ninth in the lineup by manager Joe Torre for today's season opener against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

Torre announced his decision before Monday's 11-7 exhibition loss to the Hanshin Tigers, and it didn't go over well with Lofton, who is just 8-for-52 (.154) at the plate this spring, including the two games in Japan.

"Right now I don't think he is where he needs to be," Torre said.

Then, without any prompting, the manager responded to questions he thought would be asked.

"No, he wasn't happy. No, he didn't yell. I know he's disappointed."

After watching speedy Juan Pierre spark the Florida Marlins to a World Series victory over the Yankees, New York owner George Steinbrenner signed Lofton to a $6.2 million, two-year contract, going ahead with the deal on his own instead of consulting general manager Brian Cashman.

Torre made clear during the offseason that the center-field job wasn't automatically Lofton's. But Bernie Williams, New York's regular center fielder since 1992, had his appendix removed Feb. 26 and won't be back until April 6 at the earliest. When he returns, Lofton could wind up being totally out of the lineup.

"I feel like I'm a leadoff hitter, and that's where I'm comfortable. I don't feel comfortable nowhere else," said Lofton, a six-time All-Star.

Lofton, who batted ninth against Hanshin, was disappointed Torre made a judgment based on his spring-training statistics.

"Spring training, that don't mean nothing to me," Lofton said.

Lofton, 36, batted .296 last season for Pittsburgh and the Chicago Cubs with 12 homers, 46 RBI and 30 steals. Torre expects him to eventually wind up back in the leadoff spot.

For the opener, Torre put Yankees captain Derek Jeter in the leadoff spot with left fielder Hideki Matsui second.

Notes: SS Derek Jeter will lead off, followed by LF Hideki Matsui, 3B Alex Rodriguez, 1B Jason Giambi, RF Gary Sheffield, C Jorge Posada, DH Ruben Sierra, 2B Enrique Wilson and Lofton. ... The Yankees won't decide whether to put Williams on the DL until April 6, when their season resumes at Tampa Bay. If they do put him on the DL, he would be eligible to be activated for the home opener on April 8 against the Chicago White Sox. ... After the game, Torre said LHP Donovan Osborne, RHP Jorge DePaula and OF Bubba Crosby made the opening-day roster. To get to the active limit of 25, New York optioned RHP Scott Proctor to Triple-A Columbus, placed RHPs Jon Lieber and Orlando Hernandez and 1B Travis Lee on the 15-day disabled list, and purchased Osborne's contract from Columbus. INFs Homer Bush and Felix Escalona, OF Darren Bragg and C Joe Girardi were assigned to Columbus. Girardi will be a broadcaster for the YES Network. ... After Matsui went to left field to start the bottom of the fourth, Torre sent Bush out to replace him. That way, Matsui could get another ovation - but there wasn't any. "I think the fans didn't know what was going on," Matsui said.