BALTIMORE — If the Yankees are going to make it to the ALCS, they are going to do it without Andruw Jones.
The slumping outfielder said yesterday he has been told he will not be on the ALDS roster against the Orioles, which could leave a spot open for utility man Jayson Nix.
Reliever Cody Eppley did not anticipate being included, meaning Derek Lowe could make it as a righty out of the bullpen.
Manager Joe Girardi said he has a list set for the series, but won’t submit it until today’s 10 a.m. deadline.
“Weather could change things, if all of a sudden we have to play five days in a row,” the manager said at Camden Yards prior to the Yankees’ workout in preparation for today’s Game 1.
Nix has been out since Sept. 27 with a left hip flexor injury, but has been able to run pain-free the past two days and said he believes he can contribute despite missing over a week.
“It’s part of my gig,” Nix said. “It’s what I’ve done all year.”
The Yankees feared Nix would be gone for a longer period of time when he was hurt in Toronto, but the injury responded well to treatment.
Nix’s versatility — he is the only player on the roster who can play infield and outfield — could play an important role. Eduardo Nunez has shown an ability to hit good pitching and a penchant for disaster defensively, so he may be limited to DH duty against left-handers and pinch-hitting.
Jones’ exclusion hardly is surprising, even to him.
“There’s no need for them to explain anything,” Jones said. “They pick the guys they think are going to help in this first round. I’m more frustrated with myself. I didn’t produce the way I should have at the end of the season. I just got in a bad stretch and couldn’t get out of it.”
Since hitting five home runs in six games from July 7-17, Jones fell apart. In his last 118 plate appearances, the 35-year-old hit .141 with just two home runs and nine RBIs, to go along with 27 strikeouts and a .495 OPS. And his defense has been a liability.
Jones could be added for the next round if the Yankees advance. His future remains uncertain after a disappointing second season in The Bronx. Retirement, though, won’t be an option.
“I’m going to be playing,” said Jones, 35. “I don’t know where, but I’m not done playing.”