CLEVELAND -- The Indians' lineup is a lot like a stock ticker these days -- you never know what it's going to present on a daily basis.

And it's arguable that no player in the Tribe's clubhouse goes through more volatile lineup fluctuations than Ryan Garko.

Once accustomed to an everyday starting role at first base, Garko's playing time has been sporadic this season.

Victor Martinez has made nearly as many starts at first base (22) as he has behind the plate (26), and that's cut into Garko's time. Manager Eric Wedge has also recently taken to giving Mark DeRosa time at first as part of a shift that puts Jhonny Peralta at third and Asdrubal Cabrera at short.

So, when the Indians open a four-game weekend wraparound set with the Yankees on Friday night at Progressive Field, Garko will report to work knowing his chances of not being in the lineup are just as good as those of him being in there, despite the solid bat he swung this week against the Rays.

With Cliff Lee getting the start opposite Andy Pettitte, Kelly Shoppach will be behind the plate and Martinez will be at first Friday night. So Garko will only be in the lineup if Wedge puts him in the corner outfield -- a place where he's made three starts this season.

Garko doesn't complain about his situation.

"A lot of guys are going through it," he said.

But players thrust in and out of the lineup have understandable trouble getting in any kind of rhythm at the plate, and that's been Garko's challenge this season.

"I just keep working," he said. "I'm just happy to play [four games] in a row. Even when I don't, my confidence never changes, and my work ethic never changes. I take a lot of pride in how I swing the bat. I know no one [on the outside] sees it, but I'm in the cage getting after it. I just want to put up solid at-bats, regardless of the results."

Garko's results seem to be a direct reflection of his playing time. When he's given a reasonable string of starts, he hits. When he's not, he struggles.

After starting all four games of the Rays set, Garko has now played four games in a row on four different occasions this season. In those games, he's batting .321 (18-for-56) with a double, four homers, 10 walks and 14 RBIs.

But in all other appearances this season, Garko is batting just .200 (11-for-55) with three doubles, a homer, four walks and eight RBIs.

"When I do get to play," he said, "I try to take advantage of every at-bat."

Garko has been swinging a better bat lately, and Wedge has noticed.

"He's spraying the ball around a little bit more," Wedge said. "He's squaring balls up that he was fouling off or missing before. He's definitely standing in there better and doing a better job of hitting pitches he should hit."

Whether that translates into more consistent and less sporadic playing time for Garko remains to be seen.

Pitching matchup
CLE: LHP Cliff Lee (2-5, 3.04 ERA)
Lee didn't work quickly or ahead quite as often as he usually does, but he nonetheless turned in a quality start in a no-decision against the Reds on Sunday. In six innings, Lee allowed three runs on eight hits with a walk and four strikeouts. It was another outing that would have resulted in a win for Lee had he enjoyed more early run support. Lee earned one of his two wins on the season when facing the Yankees on April 16, giving up a run on seven hits with three walks and four strikeouts in six innings.

NYY: LHP Andy Pettitte (4-1, 4.30 ERA)
Pettitte looked dominant at times during his last start. If only he could have had two pitches back, he may have earned the win. Pettitte surrendered two home runs to the Phillies on Saturday -- including a three-run shot by John Mayberry Jr. -- which accounted for all four runs he allowed in seven innings. The left-hander gave up just five hits in taking a no-decision. The Yankees came back to win the game, saving Pettitte from his first loss since April 26. ... Right-hander Joe Smith (strained right rotator cuff) will begin his rehab assignment at Triple-A Columbus on Saturday. Smith threw a live batting practice session at Progressive Field on Wednesday.

Tidbits
Tomo Ohka, whose contract was purchased from Triple-A Columbus on Thursday, is the 22nd pitcher to appear on the Indians' roster this season. The club record is 32, set in 2000. Last year, the Indians used 28 pitchers. ... In Lee's five losses, the Indians have scored a total of six runs. They are averaging 2.9 runs per start for Lee this season. He is tied for second in the AL in losses despite owning the seventh-lowest ERA in the league. ... Right-hander Joe Smith (strained right rotator cuff) will begin his rehab assignment at Triple-A Columbus on Saturday. Smith threw a live batting practice session at Progressive Field on Wednesday. ... Sunday's game time was moved to 12:40 p.m. ET because the contest will be broadcast on TBS.

Tickets
 Buy tickets now to catch the game in person.

On the Internet
 MLB.TV
 Gameday Audio
•  Gameday
•  Official game notes

On television
• WKYC 3, STO-HD

On radio
• WTAM 1100

Up next
• Saturday: Indians (Fausto Carmona, 2-4, 6.42) vs. Yankees (CC Sabathia, 4-3, 3.42), 7:05 p.m. ET
• Sunday: Indians (Carl Pavano, 5-4, 5.50) vs. Yankees (Phil Hughes, 3-2, 5.16), 12:40 p.m. ET
• Monday: Indians (TBD) vs. Yankees (TBD), 7:05 p.m. ET