Kiner-falefa working in center field for Yanks; Mets shut down Quintana until July
We may have a concession in the Yankees’ shortstop competition. Isiah Kiner-falefa has begun working out in the outfield and will play in center field during Grapefruit League games this week, manager Aaron Boone told reporters on Tuesday.
Kiner-falefa has never registered a major league inning in the outfield, however, he has displayed versatility in his career as he’s played shortstop, second base, third base and catcher during his five-year career.
With the writing on the wall that one of the Yankees’ prized young prospects — Anthony Volpe or Oswald Peraza — is set to take over shortstop duties, KinerFalefa is looking for a peaceful transition of power so he can remain in pinstripes by making himself available at different positions.
The 27-year-old has been solid in spring games going 5-for-19 (.263) with a homer and a double.
Kiner-falefa played 138 games at shortstop for the Bombers last season recording 15 errors and struggling on routine plays throughout the season.
Despite the obvious struggles, Boone did his best to prop up the shortstop who came to the Bronx as part of the trade that shipped Gary Sanchez off to the Minnesota Twins.
“He’s been one of the best defenders in the league at shortstop,” Boone said at the end of August. “Shortstop, infielders, you make an error every now and then.”
He then found himself benched at times during the postseason due to his defensive woes leading to Peraza and Oswaldo Cabrera nabbing starts at the position in October.
If this means the end of Kiner-falefa’s time as the Bombers’ everyday shortstop — transitioning to a utility role — the decision between Volpe and Peraza figures to come down to the wire.
Volpe came into camp after reportedly receiving a phone call from GM Brian Cashman letting him know that he is in the mix to break camp with the Yanks on Opening Day. The 21-yearold has run with the opportunity this spring. Volpe is 9-for-28 (.321) with two homers, four doubles, three stolen bases and has played a clean shortstop. Volpe has opened plenty of eyes this spring.
“A lot of our guys, especially our established core guys, he’s gotten their attention,” Boone said after Sunday’s tie against the Red Sox where Volpe went 2-for-4 with a double and a long opposite-field homer.
“I think he’s got all the tools,” said Aaron Judge after last Wednesday’s game against the Cardinals at the Yankees’ spring complex. “He checks a lot of boxes defensively, offensively. He’s got the speed… My thing has always been, if you’re the best player, it shouldn’t matter your age. You should be up helping the New York Yankees.”
Mets: Quintana opts for surgery
Left-hander Jose Quintana underwent more testing for his injured rib this week and was diagnosed with a tumor on his rib, general manager Billy Eppler announced Tuesday. A biopsy came back benign, but Quintana opted to have a bone graft, which means he’ll be shut down until at least July.
The important thing is Quintana’s health. Eppler said Quintana, his family and his agent, Adam Katz, talked through the options with team doctors and orthopedic tumor specialists. He made the decision to undergo surgery Tuesday and the operation is scheduled for Friday in New York.
Quintana left his second spring training start on March 5 with what was described as tightness in his left side. The following day, imaging revealed a stress fracture of his fifth right rib and the team orthopedist found something concerning in the scan. Quintana was sent back to New York for further testing by an orthopedic tumor specialist.
Eppler said the Mets held off on commenting about a timeline in order to wait for the results of the biopsy and to allow Quintana to make a decision about whether or not to have surgery or to let it heal on its own.
The Mets have two in-house candidates to take his spot in the rotation in left-hander David Peterson and right-hander Tylor Megill. The club plans to use a six-man rotation at certain points throughout the season and that won’t change in Quintana’s absence. It’s not something they want to do the entire season because it gets pitchers out of a rhythm, but the hope is that extra rest during long stretches without off days would help pitchers stay healthy.
Peterson had a stellar outing Tuesday, throwing four innings without allowing a hit and striking out five. He has not allowed a single hit or an earned run through eight innings this spring. Megill, who started on Opening Day last year, has allowed one run on six hits (1.08 ERA) through 8 ⅓ innings.