TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Yankees manager Joe Girardi says there will be an open competition that may go until late into spring training for the fourth and fifth spots in the team’s rotation.

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Girardi addressed the situation Monday, which was reporting day for New York’s pitchers and catchers.

Candidates include Ivan Nova, Freddy Garcia, Sergio Mitre and Bartolo Colon. Girardi again says Joba Chamberlain is not in the mix and will remain in the bullpen.

LISTEN: Joe Girardi’s pre-spring training address

Staff ace CC Sabathia, Phil Hughes and A.J Burnett fill the top three slots of a rotation that will be without Andy Pettitte, who retired during the offseason.

Sabathia, who had surgery for a small tear in his right knee last October, is 25 pounds lighter this spring, weighing in at 290 pounds.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.