When 24-year-old Adam Warren steps on the Yankees Stadium mound a little after 7 p.m., it will be an unforgettable moment for him.

"It's hard to put into words how excited I am," Warren said in the home clubhouse Thursday. "This has been a dream of mine for so long. Just to be here, to be in the clubhouse right now, it's pretty neat. I'm just trying to soak it up and have fun."

The Yankees didn't want Warren to be overwhelmed by his surroundings, so he came up a day early to put the pinstripes on for real for the first time.

"We got him here today thinking he could get use to the surroundings and relax a bit and watch the game and feel the atmosphere, in a sense, before he goes out there [on Friday,]" Joe Girardi said. "I did talk to him and congratulate him for being called up. When you see a young guy come up, enjoy the moment, you know? Take a second and realize where you are and what you've accomplished and your opportunity here and then just go to work."

Warren made a big jump from his spring training in 2010 to '11. This spring, he pitched well in an outing against most of the regular Red Sox.

"I saw a big difference in him between last spring training and this spring training," Girardi said. "I'm sure there’s going to be a lot of butterflies, but hopefully he can get through that first inning and settle down."

Yankees GM Brian Cashman said that Warren profiles as a back-end of the rotation. On Friday night, Warren gets a chance to show he belongs.

UP NOW: Wally Matthews's column on Girardi's ninth-inning decision. My story on Derek Jeter tying Cal Ripken Jr. on the all-time hits list.

ON DECK: . At 11:45, Katie Sharp delivers her What2Watch4 for Friday's game. I'll have you covered from the Stadium.

IN THE HOLE: Warren will be opposed by LHP Jose Quintana (2-1, 1.25).

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Will Jeter catch Pete Rose on the all-time hits list?