Short stopped
Bad news for Yanks
TAMPA — Don’t look for Didi Gregorius at shortstop until the beginning of May — and possibly later into the season.
A die-contrast MRI on Gregorius’ right shoulder Tuesday revealed a strained subscapularis muscle that will keep the shortstop from throwing for two weeks. Then Gregorius will be involved in a throwing program for another two weeks. Without setbacks, Gregorius will be able to start participating in full baseball activities April 18, which will eventually lead to a minor league rehabilitation assignment.
That brings the Yankees to May without Gregorius, who emerged last season as a very important cog in the field and at the plate.
“I think it’s fair to say not to expect to see him until the month of May,’’ general manager Brian Cashman said late Tuesday afternoon before a 4-2 loss to the Red Sox at George M. Steinbrenner Field prior to an exhibition game against the Red Sox.
Gregorius suffered the injury Saturday night while play- ing second base and making a throw to turn a double play for the Netherlands, which was amid a run in the World Baseball Classic, in an exhibition game against the Diamondbacks.
“It’s not what I wanted to hear and it’s not good news,’’ said Gregorius, who explained he never had an issue with the shoulder before Saturday and that the problem surfaced on that one throw.
As for being on the other side of the base instead of his usual shortstop spot, Gregorius didn’t blame playing second for the injury.
Joe Girardi and Cashman are focused on somebody already in camp other than stud prospect Gleyber Torres to fill in for Gregorius and have no plans to hunt outside the organization. That leaves Ronald Torreyes, Tyler Wade, Starlin Castro, Pete Kozma and Ruben Tejada. Wade, Kozma and Tejeda aren’t on the 40-man roster. Castro, the starting second baseman, has the most big-league experience at short.
“Gleyber Torres will not be considered for that position despite how great he has looked,’’ Cashman said of the 20-year-old Arizona Fall League MVP who was reassinged to Double-A Trenton after going 0-for-1 Tuesday, bringing his spring average to .448 (13-for-29).
Not being given a chance to compete for the big-league vacancy didn’t upset Torres.
“From the beginning they told me that was the plan,’’ said Torres, who hasn’t played above Single-A. “I am not disappointed at all. On the other hand, I am super happy to be part of this camp.’’
Some make the case that Derek Jeter made the team in spring of 1996 when Tony Fernandez was hurt, and a Hall of Fame career was born. However, the 21-year-old Jeter played 123 games at Triple-A and 15 in the big leagues the previous season.
On the other side of the discussion is the fact the Yankees went 25-11 without Jeter from April 1-May 12, 2003, with Erick Almonte primarily filling in for Jeter.
According to Girardi defense is paramount for whoever the choice is. Despite a bat that has produced a .222 big league average in 275 games, Kozma is a terrific defender.
Wade was being groomed as a player who can play short, second and the outfield. Now the 22-year-old who has never played above Double-A, will get a steady diet of shortstop.
“He is a good defender and not just a shortstop. He plays all over the place,’’ Cashman said of the left-handed hitter with above-average running speed. “He can play the shortstop position.’’
Neither Gregorius nor Cashman blamed participating in the WBC as the reason Gregorius was injured, but Girardi said injuries are always a concern when players leave spring training.
“Those are some of the concerns you have when players go to the WBC,” he said. “We always worry about the injury. We know [the WBC is] important to the game, but he is really important to our team so it’s a concern.”