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TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- New York Yankees pitcher Carl Pavano gave up one run and one hit over one inning in his first game action since August, a 3-0 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night.

Pavano has been slowed by a back injury. He missed the second half of last season because of a shoulder injury and finished 4-6 with a 4.77 ERA in 17 starts.

"It was a great test for me," Pavano said. "I felt good out there. I used all my pitches. I got my feet wet out there. It feels good to get back out there."

Pavano's previous outing came Aug. 3, when the right-hander allowed three runs and six hits over six innings in a rehabilitation start for Class-A Tampa.

"It's just the start of a program to get him enough work and be a starter for us," Yankees manager Joe Torre said of Pavano, who is expected to be on the disabled list until at least late April.

Pavano retired his first batter, Bobby Abreu, in a way that drew laughter from his teammates and the Yankees dugout. He fielded a slow grounder near the foul line and stumbled as he dove to first to record the out.

"You had to know something like that would happen," Pavano said with a smile.

Chase Utley homered before Pavano retired Pat Burrell and Mike Lieberthal on grounders.

"Pavano threw fine. ... We didn't plan on the swan dive," Torre said. "We were happy to see him get up. The first one is under his belt. At least we can start the clock on him."

Phillies starter Ryan Madson allowed four hits in 6 1-3 scoreless innings. Closer Tom Gordon, pitching in back-to-back games for the first time this year, worked a perfect eighth.

Sal Fasano and Shane Victorino also had solo homers for Philadelphia.

New York's Jorge Posada went 0-for-3 as designated hitter after missing the past five games with a broken nose. He could catch Thursday and is expected to ready for opening day.

"Everything is good," said Posada, who is to DH again Wednesday.

Scott Proctor allowed one run and three hits in five innings. He could replace the injured Aaron Small, who will open the season on the disabled list with a hamstring injury, as a spot starter out of the bullpen.

Yankees right-hander Chien-Ming Wang, hit on the right knee by a batted ball Sunday, threw 61 pitches during a bullpen session and is scheduled to make his final exhibition start Friday at Arizona.

"We're very pleased about that," Torre said.

Wang, Shawn Chacon and Jaret Wright are competing for two spots in the rotation behind opening-day starter Randy Johnson and Mike Mussina.

Wright, slowed by back spasms, will pitch in a minor league game Thursday and Chacon will pitch Saturday against the Diamondbacks. Johnson will make his final exhibition start Wednesday against minor leaguers.

Game notes

Philadelphia traded RHP Aquilino Lopez to the San Diego Padres for minor league OF Matt Thayer and 3B Trey Johnston. ... Phillies 1B Ryan Howard was recognized by Mayor John Street at city hall in Philadelphia for his 2005 NL Rookie of the Year-winning season. ... Yankees backup 1B Andy Phillips (right shoulder) is available to play. ... Phillies CF Aaron Rowand was hit on the hand by a first-inning pitch but stayed in the game. ... New York non-roster RHP Scott Erickson (back) is scheduled to pitch Wednesday. ... Yankees RHP Octavio Dotel (elbow surgery) threw batting practice for the first time. He is not expected to be ready until at least mid-May.