DETROIT — Juan Miranda’s arrival in the big leagues was delayed by weather last night.
But when the left-handed hitting Cuban refugee arrives today, expect to see him handle the DH duties against right-hand pitchers.
With a doubleheader on tap and the Tigers starting right-handers Rick Porcello and Jeremy Bonderman, Miranda could DH in one game and give Mark Teixeira a break at first in the other.
Miranda was slated to be at Comerica Park last night about 6 o’clock, but the rain that canceled the game held up his flight.
Because the Yankees hadn’t told the player Miranda was replacing — likely infielder Kevin Russo — Joe Girardi didn’t confirm Miranda’s arrival was delayed by weather.
“I can’t comment on that, it’s not fair to the other people,” Girardi said.
There is an outside chance Miranda will take reliever Alfredo Aceves’ roster spot today when the right-hander goes on the DL with a back problem.
Until the Yankees signed Nick Johnson to be their DH in late December, they included Miranda in the mix for the spot. When Johnson, who is on the DL, was inked, Miranda’s chances of sticking in the big leagues were killed.
Miranda, 27, was hitting .260 with five homers and 15 RBIs for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Ironically, he was batting .313 (10-for-32) against lefties and .234 (15-for-64) against right-handers. Last night against Columbus, Jon Weber was SWB’s DH and David Winfree was at first.
“He is a deep threat, just not a guy who can put the ball in play. He can drive it, it’s nice to see,” hitting coach Kevin Long said of Miranda, who impressed with a long homer last year at Tropicana Field. “We like his ability to hit and hit left-handers.”
In 13 big league games, Miranda has a .368 (7-for-19) average, one homer and four RBIs.