CHICAGO — Yankees manager Joe Girardi didn’t want to use second baseman Brian Roberts on Saturday against the White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field unless it was an emergency situation, and he got his wish.
Friday night Roberts fouled a ball off the front of the right knee in the fourth inning and remained in the game until the home ninth when it made sense to have the more mobile Brendan Ryan at second while Roberts’ hinge was affecting his movements.
“He is a player, in an emergency I could use him,’’ said Girardi, who started Brendan Ryan at second and batted him ninth in Saturday’s 4-3, 10-inning win over the White Sox. “For the most part he feels decent, he is sore.’’
Derek Jeter played in his 2,584th game at shortstop. That moved him past Luis Aparicio into second place on the all-time list that is topped by Omar Vizquel at 2,709.
Jeter, who has started 11 of the past 12 games, went 0-for-5. Only once in those games was Jeter the designated hitter. In the May 18 game against the Pirates in the second half of a doubleheader, Jeter pinch hit after starting the opener. Jeter’s last day off was May 10 in Milwaukee.
With the White Sox throwing right-hander Andre Rienzo Sunday and the Yankees playing the Cardinals in St. Louis at 3:15 p.m. local time Monday, Girardi could give Jeter a day off. With infielders Yangervis Solarte, Brendan Ryan (started at second Saturday) and Kelly Johnson all able to play multiple positions, Girardi has coverage.
White Sox manager Robin Ventura was ejected in the second inning for arguing that Adrian Nieto wasn’t out of the basepath in the second inning. Initially, Nieto was called safe for eluding a tag by Ryan. That would have put runners on second and third, not outs and the White Sox leading, 3-0.
Girardi asked the umpires to huddle because the play isn’t reviewable. The call was reversed; Ventura argued and was tossed for the first time this season.
The Yankees halted an eight-game losing streak at U.S. Cellular Field.
With Michael Pineda scheduled to throw to batters Saturday, Girardi was asked in the late morning if he had heard anything about the session.
“I have no idea,’’ Girardi replied.
Girardi often talks about managing the players he has in the clubhouse which is a good strategy. But considering how important getting Pineda back from the DL is for the Yankees, it was strange to hear what Girardi said.
Following the win Girardi was asked again and said, “No, I didn’t ask. Usually, if I hear something it’s not good.’’
If Shawn Kelley hadn’t suffered a setback last Monday after a throwing program at Yankee Stadium he likely would been off the DL by now. Nevertheless, Kelley felt discomfort in the lower back area and underwent a second MRI exam that, like the first one, didn’t unearth structural damage.
“He is not playing catch yet, [maybe] next week,’’ Girardi said of the right-handed reliever who hasn’t pitched since May 6 due to a strained lumbar spine. “I don’t know how quickly it will go. We will know more once he starts playing catch.’’
If the backup catcher is going to play once a week, Girardi said he believes it’s easier for the catcher to work with one pitcher. So Girardi has paired John Ryan Murphy with Vidal Nuno for seven of the left-hander’s eight starts this season.
Murphy, who went 1-for-3, worked with Nuno Saturday against the White Sox. In seven games together, Nuno is 1-1 with a 4.42 ERA. He had a no-decision Saturday after allowing three runs in seven-plus innings.
The only start Nuno made without Murphy behind the plate was against the Mets on May 13 when he lasted 3¹/₃ innings and gave up five runs in a loss throwing to Brian McCann.
“They seem to do a good job together,’’ Girardi said.
Murphy, 22, is the youngest catcher in the big leagues and is hitting .378 (14-for-37) after going 1-for-3 Saturday.
Brian McCann, who drove in the tying with a bloop RBI single in the ninth, continues to receive treatment on the foot he fouled a ball off last week at home.
“A lot of times they tape it at night to keep it from swelling up,’’ Girardi said of his regular catcher. “It hasn’t kept him from playing.’’