‘ CALF’ EMPTY
Headley may miss more time with leg woes
Joe Girardi left Chase Headley out of Wednesday night’s lineup against the Athletics at Yankee Stadium, but the manager said he hoped he would have the third baseman for Thursday’s matinee.
After the Yankees’ 54 win, Headley sounded very doubtful about playing Thursday.
“The MRI showed inflammation behind the [ right] knee,’’ said Headley, who couldn’t pinpoint an exact moment the hinge started bothering him. “Hopefully it’s better in a day or so and we can have some clarity. I would be surprised if I played [ Thursday].’’
Headley said his knee felt sore during Tuesday night’s game and the problem is in the upper calf.
“I don’t anticipate anything too serious, maybe a day or so to get a handle on what it is,’’ said Headley, who explained it could be a Grade 1 strain or tendinitis.
The lighthitting Gregorio Petit started at third, went 0for4 and made a throwing error in the ninth inning that put the potential tying run at second base with two outs. ➤ To make room on the roster for
Jacoby Ellsbury and Andrew Miller, who were activated from the disabled list, the Yankees optioned outfielder Ramon Flores and right hander Nick Rum below to Triple A Scranton/ Wilkes Barre.
➤ The Yankees have been scouting Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto and were joined Tuesday night by talent evaluators from AL East rivals the Blue Jays and Orioles in Washington, where Cincinnati played the Nationals.
The righthander put on a show, throwing a completegame, twohit shutout that included 11 strikeouts and one walk.
➤ Masahiro Tanaka was hardly dominant in his previous start against the Rays, but the righthander is trying to build on some of the positives— like not surrendering a home run and allowing just one run after the first inning.
Tanaka had allowed homers in each of his four starts prior to the game against Tampa Bay, including three each in the two outings prior.
“I thought I did some good things the last time out,” Tanaka said through an interpreter on Wednesday.
Despite the mediocre results, Tanaka said he is confident the extra day’s rest he’s received regularly has been beneficial as he heads into Thursday’s outing against Oakland.
“It’s definitely helped,” he said. “It’s given my body a chance to get fresh and allowed me to work on some things more than I would ordinarily.”
➤ With the Yankees pleading for their fans to vote for Brett Gardner in the AL All Star Final Vote program, the first returns weren’t good for the outfielder, who shifted from center field to left Wednesday night with Ellsbury back. Gardner went 1for2 with a pair of walks.
In the results released Wednesday, Gardner was fourth in a fiveman race that was led by Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas. Twins second baseman Brian
Dozier was second and Tigers outfielder Yoenis Cespedes was third. Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts was fifth. Voting will continue until Friday at 4 p. m. ( ET).
Dellin Betances, who was named to his second straight All Star team Monday, wore a white skullcap with “Gardy’’ written on it as a show of support for his teammate. Earlier, the Yankees tweeted out a photo of Girardi and Alex Rodriguez also wearing “# Vote” and “Gardy” skullcaps. The team also wrote: “# VOTEGARDY” in the dirt behind home plate.
Girardi has been stumping for Gardner the past week or so and wasn’t holding back Wednesday.
“I will continue, please vote for Gardy,” he said. “Iwould encourage everyone to vote. This guy is so deserving and Iwould love to see our fans rally behind him.”