KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Officially, Joe Girardi isn’t anointing one person as the arm that replaces Mariano Rivera as Yankees closer.
While Girardi admitted he would prefer either David Robertson or Rafael Soriano to work the all-important ninth inning, that’s not the way the manager is going to work it for now.
“We are fortunate we have two guys,’’ Girardi said. “Look at what Robertson has done and he deserves an opportunity. So does Sori. We will make the decision each day.’’
Because Robertson has worked the eighth and Soriano the seventh for much of last year and all of this season, Robertson is the lead choice.
But …
“If I was to use a closer tonight would I use Robby? Yeah,’’ Girardi said before a 6-2 win over the Royals at Kauffman Stadium in which Robertson worked the ninth in a non-save situation. “But I am not saying I am not going to use Sori.’’
Girardi had Soriano up in the eighth when the Royals stirred, but he never came in.
Girardi insisted Robertson and Soriano won’t be shocked by how they are used.
“We will have a plan every day and see how they are doing,’’ Girardi said. “They will have an idea when they are pitching. This won’t be a surprise. We will have to see how people do in situations. I am not going to be pinned down and say this guy is the closer. We all know Sori has done it and we believe Robby can do it.’’
Girardi’s thinking is that if he ordains one man as the closer and doesn’t use him — perhaps because of his recent workload — the pitcher won’t feel he is the closer any more.
“Would I like one set closer? Yes. We will try to get to that,’’ Girardi said.
As for Robertson, who has three career saves but was the best eighth-inning reliever in baseball last year and has continued in that role this season, he is here to help.
“This is what I guessed would happen,’’ Robertson said before extending his consecutive strikeout streak to eight by fanning the side in the ninth. “Sori has a lot of experience closing games, and I only have three [saves]. I can do what I can do when I get the opportunity. Pitching the eighth and ninth innings is the same thing. It’s a matter of making your pitches. But it will be a lot different without Mo behind us.’’
Soriano saved 45 games for the 2010 Rays and signed a three-year deal after that season to set up Rivera.
“Like last year, my mission is to help this team win in any role,’’ said Soriano, who has 90 career saves.
As for the relievers in front of Soriano and Robertson, Phil Hughes could be a candidate to land there. With Andy Pettitte pitching in a Triple-A game tomorrow, which is the day of Hughes’ next start, Pettitte could replace him in the rotation. That would send Hughes to the bullpen, where he shined in 2009. Or the Yankees could send David Phelps to the pen and keep Hughes in the rotation when Pettitte returns.
➤The Yankees recalled right-hander Cody Eppley and outfielder Dewayne Wise from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre yesterday. Eppley took Rivera’s place on the 25-man roster and Wise replaced right-hander D.J. Mitchell.
➤Nick Swisher (left hamstring) hit on the field and went through conditioning drills in the outfield yesterday. He is a candidate to play Tuesday.
Brett Gardner (strained right elbow) hit in the indoor batting cage and is getting closer to playing in a minor league rehab game.