TAMPA, Fla. — High-priced left-hander CC Sabathia will start both the regular season and home opener for the New York Yankees.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Thursday that Sabathia will pitch the season opener at Baltimore on April 6, and will also throw the first regular-season pitch at the new Yankee Stadium 10 days later against Cleveland.

Sabathia agreed to a $161 million, seven-year contract with New York in December after leaving Milwaukee as a free agent.

Girardi is also "toying" with the idea of flip-flopping leadoff hitter Johnny Damon and No. 2 hitter Derek Jeter in the batting order. The manager plans to have Jeter hit first and Damon second on a regular basis during the remaining spring training games.