BALTIMORE — If the Yankees want in on the bidding war for Rusney Castillo, they will have to submit a bid by the end of the week.
The Cuban defector, whom the Yankees like as a second baseman while other clubs believe him to be an outfielder, still has private workouts scheduled this week.
Castillo, 27, worked out for the Yankees at their minor league complex Friday. He has worked out for the Phillies, Red Sox and Cubs and held a showcase in Miami for 28 teams, which the Yankees had four scouts attend.
According to a person familiar with the situation, Castillo, who already has received offers, will sift through them and possibly make a decision about which one to take next week. It’s not known whether the Yankees are among the teams who have made Castillo an offer.
Castillo’s wish is to play in the big leagues this season. In order for that to happen, he would have to play in minor league games first so that means getting signed soon. Castillo hasn’t played in an organized game in over a year.
As with all Cuban players coming to the U.S., there is intrigue and mystery. And guesses about what he’ll sign for. Some think it will be in the $35 million to $45 million range. Others say higher.
Masahiro Tanaka made 50 throws from 90 feet Monday at Camden Yards. According to Joe Girardi, the next step is 90 throws at 120 feet, which the manager believed will take place Tuesday.
“So far so good,’’ the manager said before his Yankees lost to the Orioles, 11-3. “He let it go a little bit today. That he is not feeling it is a positive sign.’’
Tanaka is hoping the rehab program will heal a small tear in the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow and allow him to avoid Tommy John surgery.
Brian McCann could be ready to move from resting to exercising soon. McCann left Friday night’s game with what was later diagnosed as a mild concussion and is on the seven-day concussion DL.
“You give him off a couple of days and then exercise. If he doesn’t feel the effects he felt before then he would do baseball activities,” Girardi said. “I am hoping it will be [Tuesday] but we will see how it goes. I talked to him [Sunday] and said he felt much better than [Saturday].’’
Girardi said Carlos Beltran is getting close to being able to play right field, somewhere the switch-hitter hasn’t been since May 12 because of a bone spur in his right elbow.
“He is definitely feeling a lot better and something we will talk about it pretty soon,’’ Girardi said. “I could do it in the real near future.’’
When the Orioles present Derek Jeter with a gift during the Yankees final visit to Camden Yards next month, Buck Showalter has an idea.
“Get the picture of the home run that wasn’t a home run and have the Baltimore Orioles team sign it,’’ Showalter said of Jeter’s controversial home run in the 1996 postseason against the Orioles that umpire Richie Garcia ruled a homer despite youngster Jeffrey Maier reaching into the field of play and getting his hands on it.
Jeter’s fifth-inning double was his 349th hit against the Orioles. That’s the second most by an opposing player. Carl Yastrzemski had 363. It was Jeter’s 13th double of the year and 538th of his career.
Jeter played in his 2,707th game for the Yankees. That tied George Brett for ninth place on the list of games played with one team. Mel Ott at 2,730 is eighth on the list.
Chase Headley didn’t see Manny Machado’s right knee give out after the Orioles’ third baseman hit a broken bat grounder to Jeter in the third inning, but he did see Machado on the ground in pain.
“I didn’t see it, I was trying to figure out how to get to the ball. The bat was in front of the ball,’’ Headley said. “It’s hard to stomach something like that. You hate to see it with anybody and you hate to see it with him again.’’
Machado had left knee surgery last year.