The Yankees don’t want to believe Derek Jeter‘s strained left quadriceps will cost him more than a few games. But what if they aren’t so fortunate?
One possibility Joe Girardi didn’t rule out last night was moving former shortstop Alex Rodriguez back to his old position.
“There’s a lot of different scenarios we would talk about as a club,” Girardi said after the Yankees beat the Rays 6-1 at the Stadium. “Right now we’re just keeping our fingers crossed it won’t be too long.”
Is A-Rod at shortstop among those scenarios?
“It’s something we’ll talk about internally and let [everybody] know,” Girardi said. The manager said Wilson Betemit will start today’s game in Kansas City at shortstop. Betemit began last night’s game at first base and shifted to short in the third inning after Jeter departed.
Rodriguez last started a game at shortstop in his final season with the Rangers (2003).
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Jorge Posada was absent from last night’s starting lineup, as Girardi wanted to have him rested for today’s game.
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Girardi said Joba Chamberlain was available in relief if needed last night, despite pitching two innings in Sunday’s victory. . . . Brian Bruney had a message posted on the grease board inside the clubhouse that hinted the Yankees weren’t thrilled with the schedule: “Thanks ESPN for this 4:00 a.m. arrival with a day game the next day!” Though last night’s game was televised by ESPN, the network had no role in determining the start time, an ESPN representative said. The Yankees flew to Kansas City for today’s 4:10 p.m. start following last night’s game.