MLB

Jeter staying at home when Yanks put on ‘the shift’

TAMPA — With Alex Rodriguez in exile, Derek Jeter no longer has to move to the right side of second base when Joe Girardi puts the shift on against left-handed hitters.

Sunday, with the left-handed hitting Matt Joyce of the Rays at the plate in the first inning with the bases empty, Girardi moved third baseman Yangervis Solarte to the right side of second and left Jeter as the lone infielder between second and third.

Asked if it felt different for him not being the one who moved, Jeter explained he is more at home staying home.

“It feels worse for me if I am on the other side of second base. It’s like looking in the mirror and everything is backwards,’’ Jeter said. “Alex didn’t like it either so I was pretty much forced into it in the past. But now the guys who are playing third play second as well. It feels odd when you are in close but it feels better than being on the other side.’’

Jeter played six innings in Sunday’s 3-3 tie with the Rays at Steinbrenner Field and handled six chances flawlessly including turning a 3-6-1 double play and a short hop he had to break in on. He went 0-for-3 and was robbed of an extra-base hit when first baseman James Loney made a diving stop on a liner in the sixth.


David Phelps strengthened his bid to be the fifth starter with five scoreless innings in which he allowed three hits, didn’t issue a walk and fanned one.

“He was aggressive in the strike zone and got quick outs,’’ said Girardi, who is measuring the right-hander against Adam Warren and Michael Pineda for the final rotation spot. “He had so few pitches after four we sent him out for the fifth. Outstanding job.’’


Kelly Johnson’s initial game at first base ended when Rays pitcher Jeff Beliveau drilled Johnson between the digits of the “33’’ on his back in the seventh inning.

“It took the wind out of me,’’ said Johnson, who had a large welt.

Johnson, who played two games at first for the Rays last season, is listed as the backup first baseman to Mark Teixeira, who has been tutoring him on the nuances of playing the position.

“I told Tex he has all 162 [games],’’ said Johnson, the starting third baseman who has more experience at second.

“Kelly Johnson has a really fine arm. We didn’t know that. The hands were even better than we thought. He played very, very well at third base. We felt real comfortable with him over there. I thought he did a nice job,’’ Rays manager Joe Maddon said.

First base was a different story.

“That was totally out of necessity. Didn’t want to do it at all. That’s not really his favorite spot. Not as comfortable as second and third,’’ Maddon said. “I think with Kelly, he’s comfortable at second and now he’s comfortable at third.’’


Brooklyn product Dellin Betances continues to make himself known in the bullpen competition. The Grand Street Campus High School product threw a shutout inning Sunday. In four games, Betances has worked 6 ¹/₃ innings, allowed two hits and fanned five against two walks.

“I feel the opportunity is there and I try to do the best I can,’’ said Betances, who has a minor league option left and has battled control issues in the minors. “That’s out of my control. We still have a lot of spring training left and I will try to get better and better.’’


Brendan Ryan believes the discomfort in the lower right side of his back will subside enough for him to play Wednesday, but Girardi isn’t sure.

Ryan hasn’t played since March 4 and can’t pinpoint an exact moment he felt discomfort.

“I was going for a lift and thought maybe a massage and the next thing I know it’s two MRIs,’’ the backup infielder said.

The tests were negative but Ryan hasn’t been hitting.

“When I am moving it fuels gluey,’’ Ryan said. “I would like [it] to slide better.’’
Girardi said Ryan playing Wednesday would depend on how he comes through drills Tuesday.


When camp opened, right-hander Jose Ramirez had a chance to win a spot in the bullpen because of his electric fastball and tantalizing changeup.

Sunday, he was one of the first two cuts without throwing a pitch in a game.

The Yankees’ top pitching prospect was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after suffering an oblique injury warming up during the first exhibition game on Feb. 26.

Fellow reliever Francisco Rondon was assigned to minor league camp.