TAMPA, Fla. -- His conditioning complete for the day, Ian Kennedy needed a few minutes. He didn't necessarily have to catch his breath, but really, he just wanted to stop dripping all over the clubhouse carpet.

It wasn't the prettiest sight, but heavy afternoon perspiration is the trade-off for morning workouts with Andy Pettitte. Ever since the Yankees' young pitchers began following a grueling exercise program, suffice it to say the staff has been challenged to keep dry towels on hand.

"My body feels really good -- my legs feel fresh," Kennedy said on Tuesday. "By the time I go out there to run again, I already feel like I haven't done anything all day. I noticed when I'm done working out, I'll be sweating a lot, but I won't be fatigued."

The 8 a.m. ET start times may be new to some of the younger players in camp, but it's certainly familiar territory around Legends Field. The outline is the same one Pettitte gleaned from Roger Clemens years ago, when the left-hander began his transformation into more of a power pitcher.

At first, Pettitte offered introductions to only the Yankees' "Big Three" prospects, inviting Kennedy, Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain along for a trial. The workouts open by running a seven-minute mile, then move for about a half-hour targeting abdominal work, a mountain climber and other exercises.

It's not for everyone, especially at first.

"I just started doing it because Andy invited us," said Kennedy, a self-admitted morning hater. "Then it started feeling good."

Once word of the benefits got out -- namely, being able to keep up and lead the pack in an already cardio-intensive camp -- Pettitte soon found himself setting the schedule for numerous other players as well.

"Hey, if you want to invite them too, go ahead," Pettitte told the trio. "The more guys we have, the better."

Veteran LaTroy Hawkins is among the group of hurlers who have checked in on the workouts, as well as Alan Horne and Jeff Karstens.

Kennedy has already dropped some body fat thanks to Pettitte's program. In a camp where he has also been tutored by Mike Mussina, the 23-year-old has found Spring Training productive -- even before throwing one exhibition pitch.

"It means a lot to me that they spend time and share some things," Kennedy said. "As a young guy watching these guys play, it's kind of like a dream come true. Most people wish they could work out just one day with Andy Pettitte."

Spray day: Jason Giambi drew manager Joe Girardi's attention on Tuesday, and it had nothing to do with the closely cropped haircut he showed up sporting at Legends Field.

Giambi and his Yankees regulation 'do were hard at work spraying line drives all around, popping several well-hit drives to left field and center field. Notoriously a pull hitter, Giambi and his display helped Girardi's optimism that the 37-year-old is primed for a rebound year.

"In Yankee Stadium, sometimes you can get pull-conscious if you're a left-handed hitter," Girardi said. "Pulling the baseball is a reaction. It's not something that you can have good at-bats if you go up there trying to do it. He's trying to stay in the ball. When the ball's inside, he'll react to it."

Girardi said that Giambi has been able to keep up with all of the running and drills the Yankees have gone through early in camp, calling his show so far "outstanding."

The Yankees will not reach a concrete decision on Giambi's playing time until much later in Spring Training, but if the former American League Most Valuable Player is able to hold up defensively at first base, it would help thin a logjam for at-bats in the designated-hitter spot.

"We have more parts than positions, but they're good parts," Girardi said.

Gator aid: Some might find it awkward that Ron Guidry, whose contract was not renewed as the Yankees' pitching coach after 2007, returned to camp this year as a guest instructor.

But for Girardi, it has been a benefit having Guidry still around. The former Yankees left-hander has assisted pitching coach Dave Eiland in making sure camp runs smoothly, watching over numerous bullpens and sprinkling in his own thoughts and observations.

"When you talk about Ron Guidry, you talk about class," Girardi said. "He wants what's best for the players and best for the organization. He's a joy to have around."

Guidry's return also means he is able to reprise his role from previous springs as Yogi Berra's personal chauffer. Arguably Guidry's most enjoyable task of the month is greeting the Hall of Famer at the airport and making sure Berra is delivered to Legends Field -- and his waiting golf clubs -- safe and sound.

Bombers bits: Girardi complimented Brian Bruney not only for a "very good arm," but also for losing 20 pounds before camp. He said Bruney would have "a fresh start" competing for a bullpen spot. ... Guest instructor Tino Martinez, a coach with the University of South Florida's baseball program, may have trouble picking a dugout on Friday. The Yankees will face USF in an exhibition.

Coming up: The Yankees will hold a seven-inning intrasquad game on Wednesday at Legends Field, with action beginning at 1 p.m. Mussina and Jeff Karstens are the scheduled starters for the split teams.

Other pitchers on Team 1 are Darrell Rasner, Dan McCutchen, Sean Henn, Jonathan Albaladejo and Mark Melancon. Additional pitchers on Team 2 are Scott Patterson, Steven Jackson, Billy Traber, Edwar Ramirez and Ross Ohlendorf.