TAMPA — It’s debatable how long Lyle Overbay will remain the Yankees’ first baseman against right-handed pitchers but certainly nobody has joined the club in a more bizarre manner.
Released by the Red Sox Tuesday morning, Overbay was signed to a minor league contract by the Yankees in the afternoon and played with them in a game that night.
Yesterday, the Yankees released Juan Rivera, which clears the way for the 36-year-old Overbay to go from the street to wearing the sporting world’s most prestigious uniform.
“We haven’t made a decision. He has the inside track,’’ Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said of Overbay at least being part of the first base picture until Mark Teixeira returns from a tendon sheath injury in the right wrist.
The Yankees have until 3 p.m. Sunday to finalize the 25-man roster. In lieu of Overbay, they can find another first baseman who gets released or make a deal, although the latter will be very difficult to accomplish.
Manager Joe Girardi strongly indicated if Overbay makes the club he would play “mostly against right-handers.’’ Kevin Youkilis could shift from third to first against lefties. That likely means Youkilis, a former Red Sox star, will start at first base Monday on Opening Day against Red Sox lefty Jon Lester at Yankee Stadium, with Jayson Nix at third.
For Overbay, it has been a dizzying experience. Adding to it, he believed the Yankees were playing the Nationals at their spring training complex in Viera, Fla. today.
Instead, he walked into the clubhouse and saw other players arriving in the suits they would wear for the plane to Washington.
Enter Sarah Overbay, who was in Tampa with the couple’s four children. Sarah left for Fort Myers, where the Overbays had a spring-training residence, picked up a the appropriate clothes, drove back to Tampa then returned to Fort Myers last night with the four children.
“It’s been kind of a whirlwind but I have nothing else to do so enjoy it,’’ said Overbay, who replaced Rivera at first in yesterday’s 2-1 loss to the Pirates at Steinbrenner Field. He went 3-for-8 in three games for the Yankees. He could have opted out of the minor league deal today, but opted to stay. Cashman said Overbay will be informed today if he officially has made the club.
The sure-handed Overbay’s defensive ability gave him the nod over Rivera.
In fairness to Rivera, he was signed to a minor league contract to compete for an outfield job. But when Teixeira was injured and the Yankees picked up fellow right-handed hitting outfielder Ben Francisco, Rivera began playing first. Vernon Wells’ arrival earlier this week meant if Rivera were going to make the team, it would have been at first base.
“They are the New York Yankees; they have to look,’’ said Rivera, who was given a $100,000 bonus Tuesday to keep him in camp.
Letting Rivera go is a strong indication Francisco, who was signed to a minor league deal on March 11 after he asked for his release from the Indians, and Brennan Boesch, who signed a one-year major league contract after he was cut by the Tigers, will make the team.
So, as the Yankees completed the Florida portion of the exhibition schedule — they play the Nationals today and visit West Point tomorrow — they were without Derek Jeter, Curtis Granderson, Alex Rodriguez and Teixeira.
“It’s changed the landscape around here. Some of the guys we have brought in, guys who have been successful in their careers, have put up pretty good numbers so we are relying on these guys and they have to get it done,’’ Girardi said. “It’s not the way you want to leave camp with injuries, but they are part of the game and you have to deal with it.’’