TAMPA — He has 4,020 combined hits in Japan and Major League Baseball. He is 258 shy of the magical 3,000 hits in MLB action. He is 40 and looks 30.
Yet, thanks to the additions of Jacoby Ellsbury and Carlos Beltran, the 40-year-old Ichiro Suzuki is without a starting position and likely on the trading block. And Alfonso Soriano is going to play the outfield when not the designated hitter.
“We signed a number of outfielders but things have a way of working out in spring training,’’ manager Joe Girardi said. “Exactly how he fits in, I can’t tell you. My job is to keep everyone fresh, health and contributing.’’
Ichiro is owed $6.5 million for the season and while a trade would be the best resolution to the situation the Yankees would likely have to swallow a large share of the money to make a deal.
Barring injuries, Ichiro’s role would be as a defensive replacement for Beltran in right, as a pinch hitter or as a pinch runner. He could play right on the days Girardi uses Beltran as the DH.
Reliever Andrew Bailey, who agreed to terms with the Yankees this past weekend and who is not expected to pitch until August or September due to shoulder surgery last July, arrived in camp Monday.
Bailey signed a minor league deal, but has a 2015 club option that could be worth $2.5 million. The righty pitched in 49 games the past two years with the Red Sox after saving 75 games the previous three seasons with the A’s.
Brett Gardner is likely to be the only regular to play Tuesday. Girardi said Beltran, Jacoby Ellsbury and Brian McCann won’t play.
Hitters don’t make a lot of contact during live batting practice sessions, but Scott Sizemore twice hit a ball back toward CC Sabathia. Fortunately, neither struck the staff ace.
Sizemore understands why every move Masahiro Tanaka makes is watched closely.
“There is a good reason for it, the guy has electric stuff,’’ said Sizemore, who faced Sabathia, Tanaka and Hiroki Kuroda.