TAMPA, Fla. — Nick Johnson is working on a new hitting philosophy this spring. CC Sabathia is trying to refine his pitching motion.

Their results couldn't have been more dissimilar Tuesday.

Johnson pulled homers to right in each of his at-bats, while Sabathia was rocked for five runs in two-plus innings in the New York Yankees' 12-7 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

"Terrible. Location was bad. Collapsing on the backside," Sabathia said. "Still struggling with my delivery. I guess it's going to take a while. Just try to get better."

Over on the other side of the clubhouse, Johnson was smiling: "It feels pretty good."

Johnson signed a $5.75 million, one-year contract in the offseason.

"I'm not trying to hit the ball always to left," said Johnson, who's tendency has been to push the ball the opposite way.

Sabathia also struggled in his second start last spring but ended up having a dominant season, going 19-8 with a 3.37 ERA and anchoring the World Series champions' three-man rotation in the playoffs.

Pirates pitcher Charlie Morton gave up four hits, including one of Johnson's homers, and three runs in three innings and left with a 5-3 lead against several of the Yankees stars, including Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez.

"There were a couple of pitch selections that we'll go over with him, but his sinker was good and he threw some pretty good off-speed pitches," Pirates manager John Russell said. "When you face a lineup like that, it's tough to get through it."

Notes: The Yankees traded RHP Edwar Ramirez to the Texas Rangers for cash. Ramirez was designated for assignment when they added right-hander Chan Ho Park to their 40-man roster on Feb. 28. ... Yankees C Francisco Cervelli took batting practice and caught a bullpen session for first time since he sustained a concussion Saturday. He said he hopes to play Friday. ... Park threw 35 pitches in the bullpen. His session was pushed back from Monday after he said he had soreness in a muscle in his buttocks. ... Pittsburgh RHP Octavio Dotel (oblique) threw 30 pitches in a side session in Bradenton. He is expected to have a bullpen session Thursday.