August rest for Alex
TORONTO — Alex Rodriguez was given the day off Saturday, although it had little to do with his current 3-for-30 slump and plenty to do with giving him a rest.
A-Rod hasn’t driven in a run over his past seven games, posting a .100/.182/.133 slash line during that stretch. His last home run came on July 27 — his 40th birthday — as he’s gone homerless in his past 16 contests.
“I wish we could run guys out 16 days in a row,” Joe Girardi said. “We don’t necessarily have the most youthful team that you can do that, so you’ve got to pick strategic days. I know it’s a big series but I don’t think you can get away from what you believe and what you think guys need just because it’s a big series. Every series is a big series from here on out. And if he gets hurt, then you really kick yourself.”
BIRD’S A HIT
Greg Bird’s first major-league hit was nearly a towering home run to right field, but the sixth-inning shot was ruled foul before the call was upheld by a video replay.
“I asked the umpire if I’d have to run around all of the bases,” Bird said. “I’m hoping it’s fair, I guess, but I had a feeling it was foul.”
Bird struck out in the at-bat to make him hitless in his first eight at-bats since his promotion, but he singled to left field in the eighth, picking up his first major-league hit.
“It’s something I’ll never forget, obviously,” Bird said. “Not only it being my first hit, but just being able to be a part of this (win) felt special to me.”
NORTHERN EXPOSURE
Luis Severino has looked comfortable in his surroundings during his first two major-league starts, but between the powerful Blue Jays lineup and the expected sellout crowd at Rogers Centre, Sunday will present the biggest challenge yet for the 21-year-old.
“I understand the situation right now; we’re fighting for first place, but my concentration is going to be on the (catcher’s) glove,” Severino said through a translator. “Fortyfive thousand people in the stadium gives me more energy. I don’t think that’s going to affect me.”
Severino has allowed three runs over 11 innings for a 2.45 ERA, but the Yankees’ top pitching prospect is still searching for his first majorleague victory.
ROSTER GAMES
The Yankees recalled righthander Caleb Cotham from Triple-A, designating lefty Chris Capuano for assignment for the second time since July 29.
Capuano, 36, is expected to accept another outright to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where he hopes to get some innings in as a starter.
“It’s like a reset, just getting back to basics,” said Capuano, who has a 6.97 ERA in 16 appearances (four starts) with Yankees this season. “In this situation, there’s never hard feelings. It’s a numbers game. The horses we have running out there are the horses I would have out there right now. They’re doing a great job, pitching great and keeping us in games. That’s baseball.”