MLB

As Replacements sputter, Yankees need rescue from Regulars

Their job is done, their time has come.

It’s time for the Yankees Replacements to be replaced. Even Lyle Overbay, who has played tremendously in a fill-in role for Mark Teixeira at first base, understands this cold fact of baseball life.

The Replacements have run their course, and last night’s 9-4 stomping by the Mets at Yankee Stadium was more proof. The Mets have won all three Subway Series games. It was the Yankees’ fourth straight loss.

Teixeira (wrist) and third baseman Kevin Youkilis (back) are set to return tomorrow night against the Red Sox. Summer weather is finally here, and so is much of the Yankees lineup. There is no time to waste.

For those thinking the Yankees are better off with The Replacements instead of the regulars, please get a grip.

“We’ll be better with these guys,’’ Brian Cashman told me regarding the return of Teixeira and Youkilis. “And it’s great to have guys that you can rely on that we currently have. We’re a deep organization. We found out that David Adams is now healthy and he can compete and help you win games up here, so we’re now better than we were two months ago.’’

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The Yankees are a better organization now than before injuries sidelined so many starters. All you had to do was talk to Overbay, last night’s cleanup hitter, to understand that.

“I want Teixeira back,’’ the honest and unselfish Overbay told me. “He’s a better player and he’s going to take this team to a different level. That’s what I want to be a part of. I don’t have anything else to prove. I want to win a championship.’’

Noted Cashman, “Everybody in the clubhouse recognizes it’s all about the team. We have a lot of high-quality people in there. They all have their journeys, but they are all linked together by two things: that Yankee uniform and wanting to win.’’

“Tex being back healthy is the key,’’ Overbay said. “Hopefully I was able to give him that time where he didn’t feel he had to rush back. If someone has to rush back, that doesn’t work.’’

The Yankees have issues that must be corrected or the season could go south quickly. The offense is struggling mightily, scoring nine runs in the four-game skid.

The Yankees were never in it from the start last night as David Phelps could only get one out in the first as the Mets put up a five-spot, helped by Jayson Nix’s error at third base. The Mets (12 hits) were happy to get out of the Grand Canyon that is Citi Field.

Phelps became the first Yankees pitcher at home to exit while recording only one out in a non-injury situation in 20 years. Mike Witt allowed four earned runs in one-third of an inning on June 1, 1993.

The Red Sox will be here tomorrow night. Teixeira and Youkilis will be right back in the thick of it, but it could take a while for them to get going. Vernon Wells is slumping and was given the night off. Ichiro Suzuki has yet to really produce.

The Yankees are too lefty-oriented. Getting the switch-hitter Teixeira and the right-handed hitting Youkilis back will help.

“That will change our lineup and make it harder to navigate through,’’ Joe Girardi said, “but it’s also experience and a lot of production we’re bringing back.’’

Even Derek Jeter was back at the Stadium playing catch during batting practice. He still has a long rehab road ahead of him. There is no timetable for his return, but at least he is making progress from those left ankle woes.

“It’s been a long time, it’s been frustrating, but I’ll be back when I can do it,’’ Jeter said.

The backups have held up their end, but it’s time to get some regulars back where they belong. The Replacements have hit a rut.