No timeline for Drew
Considering Stephen Drew batted .201 in 131 games this season, a case can be made the concussion that likely has ended his year has created a hole at second base, thanks to his defensive play and a lefthanded bat that produced 17 home runs.
“I don’t know. I’m taking it one day at a time, as of right now, no,’’ Drew said when asked if he would return at some point, depending how deep the Yankees go in the postseason. Drew hasn’t played since Sept. 22, when he entered the game as a defensive replacement in Toronto.
While manager Joe Girardi didn’t say whom he would start at second base in Tuesday night’s AL wildcard game against Astros lefty Dallas Keuchel, his choices are the righthanded hitting Rob Refsnyder — who has 43 big league atbats — or lefty swinging Dustin Ackley, who provides power and is a homerun threat at Yankee Stadium. However, neither is the defender Drew is, and defense is critical in postseason games — never mind in a
sudden death atmosphere.
In 23 games for the Yankees, Ackley is batting .288 (15for52) with four homers and 11 RBIs. Refsnyder is batting .302 (13for43) in 16 big league games.
“I think it was the ball that hit me in the face,” said Drew, who was hit in the head by a ground ball during the Subway Series against the Mets. “I’m more prone to having that concussion because mine in [2013] was really severe. It took me 3½ months to get over that, but I don’t think it was as severe as the last one I had, but same kind of symptoms.’’
Nathan Eovaldi is getting closer to being able to help the Yankees as a reliever if they get by the Astros.
Eovaldi threw 10 pitches in the bullpen and 20 from the mound Monday, when he faced two hitters.
“Everything felt good, just felt rusty,’’ said Eovaldi, who hasn’t pitched since Sept. 5 due to an inflamed right elbow, but still led the Yankees with 14 wins.
Asked if he were ready to pitch Thursday when Game 1 of the ALDS will be played, Eovaldi said, “Absolutely, I feel like I did well enough out there.’’
YANKEES NOTES