The Curtis Granderson experiment continued yesterday with his first career start in left field. He caught both fly balls he should have, but admitted he still is a work in progress.
On a line drive by Colby Rasmus in the fourth, Granderson got turned around, something he said could have happened if he was in center, as well.
“I talked to [outfield coach Rob] Thomson afterwards and he wanted me deeper,” Granderson said. “I know I’ve never done it before, so there are going to be different things I’m going to have to deal with.”
Manager Joe Girardi remains confident Granderson will make the adjustment to both corner outfield positions.
“I thought he handled left field pretty well, so I feel pretty good about right field,” Girardi said. “[He] can play anywhere for us. I think he’s that talented of an outfielder.”
Ichiro Suzuki got the day off, while Vernon Wells stayed in right against the right-handed Brandon Morrow.
Travis Hafner was back in the lineup after receiving a cortisone shot Tuesday to relieve right shoulder tendinitis. He homered in the eighth inning.
“I thought he looked really good,” Girardi said. “You could see there’s a difference. The last couple of weeks he was playing with a little bit of soreness and there didn’t seem to be the same whip [in his swing]. But it’s back.”
* Hal Steinbrenner was at The Stadium yesterday and reiterated his stance on being patient with the contract talks for Robinson Cano, as well as Girardi.
Steinbrenner added again he is confident the Yankees’ lagging attendance won’t last the entire season.
“We’re not the only team whose attendance is down,” he said. “The economy is a factor, but so is the weather. And I think the fans are going to get behind our new guys.”
* On the Tampa front, general manager Brian Cashman said Kevin Youkilis (back) took batting practice in Tampa again yesterday. … Chris Stewart(groin) said he hoped to be back in the lineup tomorrow, but thought the Yankees would wait until Tuesday. … No timetable has been set for Joba Chamberlain’s next rehab outing.
“Obviously, he’s moving along slowly, but he’s moving along,” Cashman said.
Eduardo Nunez (oblique) is supposed to start taking swings soon: “I think [Friday] was the first day he really didn’t feel anything,” Girardi said. “I think that’s progress.” …
* Vidal Nuno was back with the team and available out of the bullpen yesterday. He could start in Andy Pettitte’s spot in the rotation in Baltimore on Tuesday.
“That’s probably what he can do, but we have to see what we need the next few days,” Girardi said.
* Cashman has made no shortage of moves this season, but Ben Francisco remains on the roster despite just five hits and one homer in 50 plate appearances, good for an OPS of .402.
“Like anything else, we look to upgrade every which way possible,” Cashman said.
When pressed on why the outfielder has held on for so long, Cashman replied with a laugh, “In terms of your fans’ comments section, just say, ‘I’m holding on to him to [tick] everyone off.” … Chris Nelson was claimed off waivers by the Angels yesterday.