Raul Ibanez is getting the start in left field on Thursday against the Twins.

It's just Ibanez's third appearance of the year in the field, and first in left. Platooning as the Yankees' designated hitter, Ibanez is in line for more at-bats during Brett Gardner's (elbow) absence. Andruw Jones should get most of the playing time in left field, however.

Raul Ibanez's RBI double in the 12th inning provided the winning run for the Yankees in their 5-4 win over the Orioles on Tuesday.

Ibanez finished the day 2-for-3 with an RBI and has already driven in six runs this season. He's providing decent punch from the left side of the plate in a platoon role with Andruw Jones. Ibanez is still an extreme liability defensively, but he's filling a quality role on this Yankees team.

Raul Ibanez drove in four of the Yankees' six runs with a three-run homer and a groundout on Friday.

The homer off James Shields was a no-doubter. Ibanez's swing looked hideous at the beginning of the spring, but he's had it working for the last 10 days or so now. He's well worth playing in AL-only leagues at the moment.

Raul Ibanez drove in four runs with a homer and a single Saturday as the Yankees topped the Astros 11-9.

The ugly start to Ibanez's spring is just a memory now: he has three homers in five games and lost a fourth when Jason Heyward robbed him of one Wednesday.

Raul Ibanez hit a two-run homer off Max Scherzer as part of the Yankees' 4-2 win over the Tigers on Saturday.

It was Ibanez's first hit in two weeks. He's still just 3-for-40 for the spring, but it's a start. The Yankees aren't at all likely to give up on him before the season begins.

Raul Ibanez went 0-for-3 in Tuesday's loss to the Red Sox.

Ibanez is 2-for-21 (.095) with four strikeouts over his first seven Grapefruit League games. The short porch at Yankee Stadium provides some reason for hope, but he turns 40 years in June and his skills are clearly on the decline. It's unlikely he'll carve out enough at-bats to be all that useful in mixed leagues, especially splitting at-bats out of the DH spot with Andruw Jones and assorted veterans.

Yankees signed OF Raul Ibanez to a one-year, $1.1 million contract.

Ibanez passed his physical on Tuesday in New York and will travel to the Yankees' spring complex in Tampa, Florida on Thursday to begin workouts. The deal also comes with around $2.9 million worth of performance-based incentives. Ibanez, 39, will function as a part-time designated hitter and backup outfielder in 2012.

According to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal, Raul Ibanez will report to the Yankees on Thursday.

The two sides have agreed to terms on a one-year, $1.1 million contract that carries another $2.9 million worth of performance-based incentives. It will be finalized once Ibanez reports to camp and passes a physical. He will function as a part-time DH and backup corner outfielder this year in New York, and may carry a small amount of value in AL-only fantasy leagues.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that the framework for a deal with Raul Ibanez, worth $1 million plus incentives over one year, is in place.

Ibanez likely followed the A.J. Burnett trade saga as closely as anyone over the past few weeks, as his signing with New York predicated not only on their ability to dump a portion of the money owed to Burnett, but also the assurance that the club didn't pick up a designated hitter in the trade, such as Garrett Jones, Travis Hafner or Bobby Abreu. All three had been bandied about in trade talks for Burnett but those possibilities ceased on Sunday, when Burnett was finally dumped on Pittsburgh for a pair of prospects. Ibanez should justify his salary as a part-time DH and backup corner outfielder. He's worth a look in AL-only leagues.

The Yankees are expected to sign both Eric Chavez and Raul Ibanez once A.J. Burnett's trade to the Pirates becomes official, according to CBS' Jon Heyman.

Before that happens, Burnett must pass a physical and Bud Selig must approve the trade, as it involves significant money being sent to Pittsburgh. Heyman believes both Ibanez and Chavez will receive one-year deals worth around $1 million. Ibanez, 39, batted .245/.289/.419 with 20 home runs and 84 RBI in 144 games last season for the Phillies. The 34-year-old Chavez was limited to just 58 games with New York last season due to a fractured foot, batting .263/.320/.356 across 175 plate appearances. Ibanez should log enough plate appearances between DH and fill-in outfield duties to be well worth an AL-only roster spot.

According to Newsday's Ken Davidoff, the Yankees have been negotiating extensively with representatives for Raul Ibanez and an agreement seems ''very likely,'' after the A.J. Burnett trade gets done.

There have been conflicting reports on whether the Yankees can afford both Eric Chavez and Ibanez, but Ibanez's production against left-handed pitching may ultimately be the determining factor. An earlier report indicated the Burnett trade will be completed on Tuesday pending the approval of Commissioner Bud Selig. Ibanez is reportedly seeking a one-year, $1 million contract.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that the Yankees won't "finalize" deals for Raul Ibanez and Eric Chavez until A.J. Burnett is officially traded to the Pirates.

The Yankees and Pirates have agreed to a deal, but it's still pending approval from the commissioner's office. Burnett also must pass a physical with his new team on Sunday. Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported Friday afternoon that the Yankees plan to add Chavez for about $1 million and Ibanez for about $1 million, though he mentioned that Johnny Damon still lingered as a possibility for their DH opening. Either way, we should finally have some resolution on this prolonged saga within the next couple of days.

Andrew Marchand of ESPNNewYork.com reports that the Yankees "have paused their pursuit of a designated hitter" while they wait to see if they can land a DH-type in an A.J. Burnett deal.

Garrett Jones would fit the description, though the Pirates reportedly are not willing to include him in a Burnett trade. Raul Ibanez seems to be at the top of the Yankees' list of potential free agent DH targets, with Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui also being considered. Marchand was told that the Pirates are the favorites to land Burnett but that a deal is considered "50-50" at this point. The Yanks are reportedly talking to a total of four teams about Burnett, but one of those clubs is on the righty's no-trade list and Burnett doesn't plan to waive the clause to go to that team.

ESPN New York's Wallace Matthews was told nothing is imminent between the Yankees and Raul Ibanez.

"Nothing is about to happen," is how Matthews' source put it. The Yankees are said to be considering Ibanez as a part-time designated hitter, but they've also expressed interest in free agents Hideki Matsui and Johnny Damon, and could practice patience until asking prices begin plummeting around the start of spring training. Ibanez, 39, batted .245/.289/.419 with 20 home runs and 84 RBI in 144 games last season for the Phillies.

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Yankees are in "serious discussions" with free agent Raul Ibanez.

Not surprising, as Buster Olney of ESPN.com wrote Monday afternoon that the Yankees could sign Ibanez, Johnny Damon or Hideki Matsui within the week. According to Rosenthal, Ibanez is willing to take less to play for the Yankees than he could make elsewhere. The 39-year-old batted .245/.289/.419 with 20 home runs and 84 RBI in 144 games last season for the Phillies. If signed, he would likely share at-bats with Andruw Jones from the DH spot.

Buster Olney of ESPN.com writes that the Yankees are "in position" to add Raul Ibanez, Johnny Damon or Hideki Matsui in the next week.

It's not clear whether this is speculation, inside information or some combination of the two, but with spring training right around the corner, we wouldn't be surprised if something happened soon. For what it's worth, Olney thinks Ibanez might be the best fit. The 39-year-old batted .245/.289/.419 with 20 homers and a .707 OPS last season, including a .747 OPS against right-handed pitching. If signed, he would likely split at-bats with Andruw Jones out of the DH spot.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Friday that he'd like to add another bat to the designated hitter mix.

"I think we've had a good offseason... but I think it's important to our club that you add another bat," Girardi said. "AL's going to be tough." The manager brought up Raul Ibanez's name, and the 39-year-old would be a fit as a potential platoon mate with Andruw Jones in the DH slot. Hideki Matsui and Johnny Damon have also been floated as possible fits for the Bombers.

Kevin Kernan of the New York Post reports that the Yankees are interested in free agent outfielder Raul Ibanez.

It's not a bad fit, as the Yanks don't have a ton of options to fill their designated hitter role and Ibanez, despite the fact that he'll turn 40 during the season, is still reasonably productive. He's also at least capable of filling in in the outfield if need be. The 39-year-old batted .245/.289/.419 with 20 home runs and 84 RBI in 144 games last season for the Phillies.

Danny Knobler of CBS Sports reports that the Tigers have shown some amount of interest in Raul Ibanez.

Detroit seems set on acquiring a low-salary replacement for injured designated hitter Victor Martinez. Ibanez has failed to draw much interest this offseason and would probably fit that bill. He batted .245/.289/.419 with 20 home runs and 84 RBI in 144 games last season for the Phillies. The Tigers also have interest in Hideki Matsui.

According to Buster Olney of ESPN.com, Raul Ibanez will reject arbitration from the Phillies.

It was a surprise to learn that the Phillies offered Ibanez arbitration, but the two sides have an agreement in place where he will decline. If (or when) the Type B free agent signs with another team, the Phillies will receive a sandwich pick in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft.