TAMPA, Fla. — Derek Jeter finally got to experience playing against the New York Yankees.

"It was strange running to the other dugout. I almost ran to the other side a couple times," he said.

Normally the Yankees captain, Jeter played for the United States ahead of the World Baseball Classic and hit a two-run single in the third inning of the Americans' 6-5 victory over New York yesterday.

Jeter went 2-for-4 with a walk in a matchup that "seemed like an intrasquad game" to him.

After the Yankees went up in the first on Jorge Posada's RBI single, Jeter put the U.S. ahead 2-1 with a two-out single off Phil Hughes.

Jeter played the entire game in the field.

"It was nothing about Derek. It was funny seeing him with a red hat on," Posada said. "You knew it was going to happen. It wasn't really like weird. It's one day. You know he's going to come back. Probably different if he goes to another team."

U.S. starter Roy Oswalt gave up one run and four hits over 3 1/3 innings.

METS

SANTANA PUSHED BACK

Forget opening day, Johan Santana's tender elbow might keep the Mets' ace from making his first start until the second series of the season.

Santana has yet to pitch in a spring training game for New York and pitching coach Dan Warthen indicated the left-hander's schedule would put him on track to start the Mets' fifth game.

The two-time Cy Young winner is tentatively set to make his spring debut March 18, Warthen said.

YANKEES

A-ROD TO CHECK HIP

New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez has a problem with his hip, and is going to Colorado to see a specialist.

An exam over the weekend revealed that Rodriguez has a cyst in his right hip. Doctors wanted to take a closer look.

Rodriguez played for the Dominican Republic team yesterday in an exhibition game against the Florida Marlins. He went 1-for-3 and left after 4 1/2 innings.

The hip problem leaves Rodriguez's status for the World Baseball Classic in doubt.

SHORT HOPS

The Milwaukee Brewers agreed yesterday to a 1-year contract with 23-year-old, right-hander Yovani Gallardo, who had been the last unsigned player on their 40-man roster. ... Free-agent infielder Nomar Garciaparra, 35, is nearing agreement on a one-year contract with Oakland a person familiar with the negotiations said yesterday, speaking on condition of because the contract was not yet final.