LOS ANGELES – Don Zimmer’s plan is to give Jorge Posada more playing time than the switch-hitting catcher received last year, when he started three-fifths of the games. However, when the Yankees open defense of their 24th World Series championship tonight in Oakland, veteran Joe Girardi will catch Roger Clemens.

After announcing his lineup that also includes Ricky Ledee in left against right-hander Gil Heredia, Zimmer had an explanation.

“That’s with one understanding, that Posada is the No. 1 catcher,” Zimmer said. “He will do more of the catching of the two. I told George [Posada] that Joe was catching Monday and he would catch the next two games. The way it worked last year was pretty good, and my guess this year is that Posada will catch more than last year.”

Zimmer said he has no plans to make Girardi Clemens’ personal catcher. Girardi is a .364 (4-for-11) hitter against A’s starter Gil Heredia.

“I am all right with it,” Posada said. “We did pretty good with it last year.”

As for left field, Zimmer said Ledee will play against righties and he will decide between Shane Spencer and Chad Curtis versus lefties.