Yanks’ lineup undergoes shakeup

The Yankees are getting closer back to whole. The timing could not be better. With their lead in the American League East down to one game going into Tuesday night’s action at Tropicana Field, the Yankees need to start running on all cylinders.

Curtis Granderson, who missed two starts because of tendinitis in his right hamstring, was back in center field Tuesday night batting second in the order as manager Joe Girardi dropped Nick Swisher into the 3-hole. Robinson Cano, who felt soreness in his left hip Monday, was also in the lineup, although Girardi used him as the designated hitter rather than at second base, which was manned by Jayson Nix.

Cano showed there was no problem with his hip when it came to swinging a bat. He crushed a two-run home run to left-center in the first inning off Tampa Bay righthander Alex Cobb. It was Cano’s 29th home run of the season, which matched his career high set in 2010.

Alex Rodriguez was back at third base one game after coming off the disabled list and playing as the DH Monday. A-Rod was hitting in the 5-hole, opening up the cleanup spot for Cano.

Mark Teixeira, who has a strained left calf, is still sidelined and may not be back in the lineup until Friday at Baltimore. Ivan Nova, who is on the DL because of rotator cuff inflammation, pitched a simulated game at the Trop and could be activated at the end of the week. The Yanks also plan to have Andy Pettitte, who is recovering from a fractured left fibula, pitch a simulated game Wednesday. There is still no timetable for his return.