"The Yankees and Russell Martin are not concerned about the starting catcher not being ready to get behind the plate Saturday in the exhibition season opener against the Phillies.

Yet, eight days into camp, Martin explained his surgically repaired right knee hasn't allowed him to block balls. Hence, he won't play Saturday at George M. Steinbrenner Field. He had surgery on the knee Dec. 20 to repair a meniscus problem.

"It's still a little stiff. It's not 100 percent yet," Martin said yesterday. "It's not a setback. I will be ready for the regular season. They don't want me to get ahead of myself and get set back."

With Jorge Posada shifted to full-time DH, the 28-year-old Martin easily is the most experienced catcher in camp, and there is no need to play him before he is ready.

"I don't think he is quite ready to go, and I am not going to rush him," Girardi said. "I told him that I wanted to know when he was 100 percent because I don't want a setback. If it was three or four days, that would be my hope. But if it takes more, it takes more."

Even if Martin misses several early games, it's not a big deal. But if the stiffness lingers and causes him to be out longer, his developing relationship with a new pitching staff will be hindered. He says he is OK because he has been catching bullpen sessions, but there is no substitute for game action."