Yankees starter Ian Kennedy was a last-second scratch from his start Wednesday night against the Royals, according to an Associated Press report. The Yankees spokesman said the right-hander wasn?t injured. He was scratched because the forecast was for rain and the team wanted to make sure they didn?t waste his start. He was replaced by Brian Bruney, who was making his first career start. Meanwhile, rookie Alberto Gonzalez started at shortstop for the injured Derek Jeter. ?We didn?t bring him up here to sit,? manager Joe Girardi said. ?We like him and we want to see him. I liked his defense and also liked his ability to handle the bat. When we needed to get a runner over or get a runner in, he was pretty good at it. He was able to bunt for us and do some things. He doesn?t have the thump that our other shortstops necessarily have, but I think he can handle the bat and help us.? To make roster space for Gonzalez, the Yankees optioned Shelley Duncan to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.