There’s no shortage of questions regarding how the age of the Yankees’ roster, but Ichiro Suzuki doesn’t want to hear them.
“It’s annoying to be asked about age,” Ichiro told reporters after a workout Tuesday in Kobe, Japan,
With the way the Yankees are constructed, Ichiro should get plenty of playing time, meaning the age topic likely will come up from time to time.
Ichiro, who played well after arriving in The Bronx after being traded by the Mariners, re-signed with the Yankees for two years and $13 million.
Following a slow start to the season in Seattle, Ichiro rebounded in the second half, hitting .322 with a .794 on-base plus slugging .
Ichiro said he confident the success he found after the move will continue.
“Signing with the Yankees has given me a new sense of determination,” Ichiro said. “This is a unique team, a team that can have a player like Alex Rodriguez as a pinch hitter is special and to be part of that is exciting.”
Ichiro also reiterated he won’t be playing for Japan in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
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The Yankees are no closer to finding a right-handed bat to play in the outfield against lefty pitching, with their pursuit of Scott Hairston and Michael Morse coming up short — so far.