New York Yankees manager Joe Torre juggled baseball's best lineup on Friday night, dropping a disappointed Gary Sheffield and moving slumping Alex Rodriguez (A-Rod) back to the cleanup spot.

Sheffield, who has a .176 (3-for-17) career average against Detroit starter Kenny Rogers, began Game 3 on the bench as Torre opted to use Bernie Williams as his designated hitter and moved Jason Giambi _ the Yanks' DH in Games 1 and 2 _ to first base for Sheffield.

Williams is batting .353 (12-for-34) with two homers in his career vs. Rogers.

``He just told me I wasn't playing,'' an annoyed Sheffield said in the Yankees' dugout. ``He's the manager. I'll just enjoy the game like everybody else.''

Sheffield said he was not given a reason by Torre. He was told by reporters that Williams had good numbers against Rogers.

``I do, too,'' said Sheffield, who had just one hit in eight at-bats in the first two games of the best-of-seven series. ``I would like to be in there.''

Torre explained the move was not made in reaction to New York losing Game 2.

``It's a short season, so you are reluctant to change anything just because you lost,'' Torre said. ``Bernie's numbers were more of a factor. I knew what they were, but I hadn't acted on it until today.''

Torre was concerned about Giambi's ability to play first because of a small ligament tear in his left wrist that's caused pain while fielding. Giambi, who has hit with the wrist heavily taped, played 68 games at first this season.

``The biggest thing was that I had to check with Jason to see if he could deal with the hand at first, and he said he was fine,'' Torre said.

Torre read his lineup out loud and didn't miss the chance to take a swipe at some New York fans, who have been tough on Rodriguez.

``Alex is batting fourth,'' Torre said with a hint of sarcasm. ``I'm sure that will make everybody happy.''

Torre dropped Rodriguez to sixth in the first two games, his lowest spot in the batting order since May 7, 1996, when he hit eighth for Seattle.

With Yankee Stadium filled with boos after his every swing and miss, Rodriguez went 0-for-4 in Thursday's 4-3 loss, ending the first, fifth and eighth innings with strikeouts. A-Rod is 1-for-8 in the series, doesn't have an RBI in his last 10 post-season games and is 5-for-40 (.125) in his last 11.

But against Rogers, he is 10-for-19 in his career with five home runs.

Jaret Wright, who will start Game 4 on Saturday, said A-Rod's teammates still believe in him.

``I think Alex is one of the best players in the game,'' Wright said. ``I'm always pulling for him and so is everyone else in the room. Every time he steps in the box I think he's going to go deep.''

Rodriguez probably felt right at home as a few Tigers fans gathered near New York's dugout began taunting him the moment he stepped into the dugout for batting practice, more than two hours before the first pitch.

``Hey, A-Rod,'' one smart aleck yelled. ``You are my favourite player in the whole world. We love you in Detroit.''