ANAHEIM, Calif. – Every afternoon Joe Torre gathers coaches Kevin Long, Don Mattingly and Rob Thomson in his office and goes through the options he has at designated hitter. Since Jason Giambi returned from the disabled list and Hideki Matsui has done well in that spot, Torre has more than Johnny Damon to use there.
“They have feel for the type of [opposing] pitcher and the hitters we have and we don’t let anybody sit too long,” Torre said prior to using Damon as the DH last night in the Yankees’ 7-6, 10-inning loss at Angel Stadium.
Torre has done a nice job of juggling the three high-profile names and credits their professionalism for making it easier on him.
“They all know the guy who is playing deserves to,” Torre said.
Giambi, who pinch hit for first baseman Andy Phillips last night, flied out to center to end the eighth inning, and left the game, can expect to get back in the lineup before the Yankees split his native Southern California.
“[Today] or [tomorrow],” Torre said of the left-handed power threat.
Of the three players – and Shelley Duncan also figures in the mix against lefties – Giambi is the least versatile.
“Johnny does more for us,” Torre said of Damon, who plays left field when Torre uses Matsui as the DH.
Making it harder for Torre is that Damon and Giambi have been regular players their entire careers. But they are close friends who have been very public about doing whatever Torre thinks gives the Yankees the best chance to win.
“That’s what it’s all about,” Giambi said. “Whatever it takes to win, I am all for it.”
Damon, who homered Sunday, echoes his buddy.
“It wasn’t that long ago that you came to the ballpark and figured you were hitting first and playing center field, but now it’s different,” said Damon, who lost his center-field job to Melky Cabrera. “Now you have to adjust what’s best for the team, and I have no problem with that.”