Perched behind a batting cage in 2005, Torre was struck by the ease in which the young Cano made contact -- his game balanced by a touch of softness and offensive explosiveness that allowed him to litter the outfield with line drives.

"He had a combination, for me, of Rod Carew and Robbie Alomar," Torre recalled.

Cano, 24, will attempt to measure up to those hearty projections as he enters his third season with the Yankees. After finishing third in the American League batting race in 2006 with a .342 mark, Cano said he is not aiming to change anything in the approach that garnered those results.

He has already renewed his thrice-weekly morning workouts with infield coach Larry Bowa, and said he plans to continue his early cage work with bench coach Don Mattingly before games.

"I just want to be in the lineup every day," Cano said.

The most important item, Cano said, would be remaining healthy. He spent time on the disabled list in '06 with a left hamstring injury, and though utilityman Miguel Cairo filled in capably, Cano was stung by thoughts that he could have helped the club.

"It was a tough time," Cano said. "The team was losing a few games. I knew if I was healthy, I would help the team win."

Cano said he was pleased the Yankees permitted him to play in the Dominican Winter League, where he performed for Estrellas Orientes. Staying in game shape has prepared Cano for Spring Training, he said.

"I would say that I kept in better shape because I kept working hard," Cano said. "If I don't play, I'd just sit at home and do something after the season."

No return 'fire': Torre said he was not troubled by comments made by former Yankees outfielder Gary Sheffield, who told the New York Post that Torre had taken "the fire out of me" by not starting him in Game 3 of the American League Division Series against the Tigers.

Torre remembered Sheffield -- now with the Tigers -- as an intimidating competitor for the Yankees, and also noted that the slugger has never been one to mince words.

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"You'd like to believe that every player you manage would always have nice things to say about you," Torre said.

"I don't really comment on stuff like that, because it takes away from people being able to say what they want to say and feeling the way they want to feel. You do the best you can and you hope you've touched everybody."

Call waiting: The examination of Bernie Williams' telephone usage continues, as Derek Jeter reports that he heard from the free-agent outfielder within the last few days.

Jeter acknowledged that it appears Williams is not attending camp, but said that his unfinished status is "typical Bernie," referring to his quirky demeanor. Williams has still not officially turned down the Yankees' non-roster invitation, though all signs indicate it.

"Half the time, you don't even know he's here," Jeter said. "Bernie could be in the corner one minute, and then you see him like a week later in the corner, and you haven't seen him anytime between then. It is weird."

Catch of the day: One of the unsettled battles of Yankees camp revolves around the task of backing up veteran catcher Jorge Posada.

Though the Yankees have eight other backstops in camp, Torre indicated that only two -- Wil Nieves and Todd Pratt -- are serious contenders to be carried on the 25-man roster. Raul Chavez (broken left hand) is starting behind the others and is considered more of a long shot.

Nieves, 29, is on the Yankees' 40-man roster, though he has not had a hit in 10 at-bats with the team over the last two seasons. Pratt, 40, is a non-roster invitee to camp but boasts the most experience of any contender, having played in 662 Major League games with the Phillies, Cubs, Mets and Braves since 1992.

Torre said that Nieves has earned high marks in the farm system and positive reviews from the pitchers who have worked with him, but he added that Pratt boasts veteran presence and the ability to hit an occasional home run. Torre said first-base coach Tony Pena would have input on the eventual decision.

"I think we just have to figure out what's going to work for us," Torre said.

Right on schedule: The Yankees conducted their second afternoon of full-squad workouts on Wednesday, with pitchers going through fielding practice and batting practice for position players.

On Thursday, Torre said that Philip Hughes and Humberto Sanchez will join the five projected members of the starting rotation -- Chien-Ming Wang, Andy Pettitte, Mike Mussina, Kei Igawa and Carl Pavano -- in throwing live batting practice to hitters. Each hurler will throw 30 to 40 pitches.

The Yankees plan to play one intrasquad exhibition game this spring, which will take place next week. The game will run 10 or 11 innings, Torre said.

Cleared for takeoff: Right-hander Steven White returned to action with a bullpen session on Wednesday, reporting no problems.

Chavez, who broke his left hand when he was hit by a pitch in winter ball, was also cleared to begin taking batting practice and catching in the bullpen.

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.