Amid changes, Brett stays solid
In the dozen years he has been with the Yankees, Brett Gardner remembers only one time that he has seen a Bronx Bombers team with so many unknowns.
“The Yankees are always in win-now mode, so it’s rare. Maybe 2013, when we had a lot of injuries,” Gardner said in the Yankees clubhouse before Tuesday’s game.
“Usually, this room is full of superstars — and me,” he added with a laugh.
Now Gardner, who re-signed with the Yankees with the idea that he would be a fourth outfielder and veteran influence in the clubhouse, has been pushed into everyday play and an even more important role in the clubhouse.
With a majorleague leading 12 players on the injured list this season, the Yankees have had to turn to kids, unripened prospec- ts, and players on a second chance. Tuesday night, they used their 33rd different lineup in 34 games.
“I think to varying degrees, everyone has done a really good job of coming in with a focus, and with the thought ‘I am going to go out and do my job and do my part,’” Aaron Boone said. “I don’t think anyone has gone out and done more than he’s capable of or gotten out of their game at all. As a result, we’ve had a lot of different guys step up, deliver and perform and it’s been critical to us being able to to win games.”
With 16 different players hitting the IL this season — and just four returned so far — that’s been a lot off different pieces through the revolving door. For Gardner and CC Sabathia, the only veterans from the 2009 World Series team and the clubhouse leaders, it’s been different, but also refreshing.
“You watch a kid like Thairo (Estrada), who we didn’t think was going to be a part of this season, and he comes up and he gets his first big-league start, he gets his first hit and last night gets his first home run, that’s fun,” Gardner said with a smile. “Guys like him and Gio (Urshela) have made big contributions.
They have done it by coming in and doing their jobs and doing them well.”
Urshela in particular has done the job better than expected. He has played “Gold Glove-caliber,” defense at third base, according to Boone, a third baseman in his time, and has hit surprisingly well. Even with Miguel Andujar back from the IL, Urshela was back playing third Tuesday night. He entered the game hitting .352 with a home run and seven RBI.
“It’s going to continue to evolve, it’s fluid. Miggy will be out there at some point this week,” Boone said of Andujar playing in the field. “Gio has very much worked his way into the mix, especially the way our roster sits right now.” And with 12 players still on the IL, the Yankees are able to keep both Andujar and Urshela on the 25-man for the moment. There could be an interesting crunch when more players return. Urshela does not have any options remaining, meaning to send him back to the minors the Yankees would have to put him through waivers and risk having another team claim him.
There are some tough moments ahead in the Yankees’ front office and also in the clubhouse.
And having battled through this rough stretch together, doing better than just staying afloat, this has become a close-knit team. Gardner admitted it’s hard to keep that good chemistry when players are rotating in and out.
“But we have a lot of good guys in this clubhouse. The guys who aren’t playing are still around and being the best teammates they can be, being supportive and cheering on these guys as much as they can,” Gardner said. “The culture we have in here is really good right now. We’ve got guys like CC and even guys like DJ LeMahieu, a veteran who wasn’t here, but who has been other places and knows how to keep things right here. When guys come back and guys get sent out, we’ll have to just make sure we keep it going.”