NO GAG ORDER FOR THE JUDGE
Wade could be guy to step in for LeMahieu
Back in February, Tyler Wade’s spot on the Yankees roster was secure, but his role was uncertain. A back-up infielder, he was pushed into the outfield by the extensive injuries in 2019. With a healthy Yankees squad, his speed and versatility were key.
Now, two weeks from Opening Day, Wade’s role could be growing.
There’s no news on when DJ LeMahieu may arrive at training camp after a positive coronavirus test. The versatile infielder, who was basically the Yankees’ MVP in 2019, has been asymptomatic and quarantining in Florida. He’s been working out and and awaiting the all-clear to come to New York to start intake testing and then join the team.
Thursday, Yankees manager Aaron Boone was holding out hope that LeMahieu would be able to rejoin the team soon, but he said he is confident that they have second base covered even if LeMahieu’s arrival is delayed.
“With Tyler, Thairo (Estrada), I am not concerned, we have that covered. DJ probably as much as any player, I’m gonna feel good about where he’s at,” Boone said. “I know how much he takes care of himself and is ready to go. If anyone could handle being out at the start of the camp it may be DJ. He worked tirelessly through the whole quarantine down in Tampa. He was able to get reps, he was ready to go.
“The good thing is, he doesn’t feel sick. So it’s not something that’s wiped him out,” Boone said. “So, I do feel good about the player being able to pick up in pretty short order once it is time for him to come back.”
Wade is ready to step in at second. The 25-year-old spent the entire hiatus down in Tampa working out at George M. Steinbrenner Field — ironically with LeMahieu — and feels ready to play every day.
“I’m preparing every day like I want to play every day. Whether it’s at short, second, wherever it’s going to be,” Wade said. “Unfortunately, DJ is not here. So there is a vacancy but yeah, I’m getting my reps all over the infield, all over the outfield and I’m just like ‘wherever they need me,’ like in previous years. I’m taking that same mindset into this year.
This is an opportunity for Wade to prove he can play in the majors. Part of the “taxi squad” going back and forth to Triple-A the last few years, Wade has a .197/.268/.298 career slash line with a -5 defensive runs saved rating.
“He’s certainly always working on just impacting the ball a little bit better, taking advantage of a speed to… become an expert of handling the bat and laying bunts down, but also really working on that line drive swing, because he’s got a pretty good understanding of the strike zone,” Boone said. “And hopefully with more and more reps and more and more opportunities, we’ll start to see that at this level”