If this experiment with his stride doesn’t help Derek Jeter rebound from the worst hitting season of his career it will not be because of a lack of effort.
Yesterday following a team workout at Yankee Stadium, Jeter participated in a pull hitting drill frequently used by Robinson Cano and Nick Swisher the past few years.
This spring when hitting coach Kevin Long continued to tinker with Jeter’s stride (it no longer goes forward or into the plate), Long suggested Jeter participate in the pull drill.
A screen cuts the plate in half from front to back, and Long flips balls from about 25 feet. It’s designed to make the hitter pull the ball.
Long said Jeter did it seven or eight times on a backfield during spring training and will be part of his routine.
“It will help him continue to stay upright and help his stride direction,” Long said. “It’s a pull drill, but that’s OK.”
Jeter has long been known for his ability to hit balls to the opposite field. Late last year Long noticed Jeter, who hit a career-low .270, getting beat on pitches inside and believes the foot adjustment will allow him to get to the inside pitch.
Alex Rodriguez, who has no problem pulling balls, also participated in the drill. He usually does it in the indoor cage.
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Owner Hal Steinbrenner made a short appearance on the field yesterday to check out the Opening Day/MLB logo near the third base line.
Sisters Jessica and Jennifer with their mother Joan are expected to be on hand for today’s festivities. . . . Mike Mussina will throw out today’s first pitch.
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A.J. Burnett should have been wearing a surgical mask in the Yankees’ clubhouse.
“I can’t hear, can’t breathe and can hardly see,” said Burnett, whose right eye was bloodshot and his voice barely audible because of a severe cold.
Asked if would make his scheduled start Saturday against the Tigers he said, “I hope so.”
Manager Joe Girardi was going to wait before worrying about Burnett not being able to pitch.
“I think it’s too early to predict that,” Girardi said. “He is under the weather and has a head cold. But you would figure by Saturday it would run its course.”
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With left-handed reliever Pedro Feliciano starting the season on the disabled list, the Yankees added right-hander Luis Ayala to the 25-man roster.
“From the first [spring training] game we saw his velocity was back,” Girardi said of the 33-year-old sinker baller who throws in the 93-mph range. “He has a sinking fastball and the ability to get ground balls.”
Ayala, who didn’t pitch in the majors last year because of arm trouble, was scouted by the Yankees in the Mexican Winter League and signed to a $650,000 minor league contract late in the offseason. He worked 38 combined games for the Twins and Marlins in 2009 and 81 in 2008 when he appeared in 19 games for the Mets and 62 for the Nationals.
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Pitchers Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia and catcher Gustavo Molina were added to the 25-man roster.
Feliciano and catcher Francisco Cervelli (left foot fracture) each were placed on the 15-day disabled list.
Lefty reliever Damaso Marte (left shoulder labrum inflammation), infielder Reegie Corona (fractured right elbow) and OF Colin Curtis (dislocated right shoulder) were placed on the 60-day disabled list.