MLB: New York Yankees at Houston Astros

New York Yankees second baseman Stephen Drew (14) throws to first base during to end the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game against the Houston Astros at Osceola County Stadium on March 7, 2015. (Tommy Gilligan | USA TODAY Sports)

TAMPA, Fla. -- Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Tuesday morning that Stephen Drew will start at second base and it's his spot to lose.

"We signed him to be our second baseman," Girardi said. "Our plan for it is to be Stephen."

Drew struggled mightily last season at the plate hitting .162, splitting the time between Boston and New York, where he was shipped in July and asked to play second base, a position he had never played much, having been a shortstop all of his career.

In the first home game last week in spring Drew booted the first ball hit to him. He said afterwards he's still learning the right angles to take to the ball and that he's still getting comfortable playing the position.

Drew is signed to a one-year, $5 million deal in 2015.

Ryan Hatch may be reached at rhatch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ryanhatch. Find NJ.com on Facebook.