Didi’s Game 2 status in doubt
Didi Gregorius said his right elbowthat got drilled by Blue Jays pitcher Aaron Loup on Opening Daywas fine, but manager Joe Girardi was waiting to see how Gregorius’ hinge feels before Wednesday night’s game at Yankee Stadium.
“Hopefully he is OK. Hopefully the day off [ Tuesday] helps,’’ Girardi said after a sickly 61 loss Monday. “He said he was OK. I think you have to wait and see how he feels on Wednesday. Sometimes there can be swelling after the game.’’
Because backup shortstop Brendan Ryan is on the disabled list with a calf injury, the Yankees would have to turn to recently acquired Gregorio Petit to play short if Gregorius can’t.
“He did not say we needed to take him out, which is a good sign, but you never knowin those situations,’’ Girardi said of Gregorius, whose debut as Derek Jeter’s replacement included getting caught stealing third base to end the eighth inning with the Yankees trailing by five with a runner on first and Mark Teixeira at the plate.
Gregorius had a big wrap on his right elbow following the game.
Austin Romine went on waivers Monday and could clear by 1 p. m. Wednesday. After losing the backupcatcher competition to John Ryan Murphy, Romine was designated for assignment.
Because Romine has fewer than three years of service time ( 2.009) and never has been outrighted to the minors, hewould have to accept a minor league assignment if he clears waivers. Only players with threeplus years of service time and a prior outright can reject the assignment.
The Yankees decided to keep Murphy over Romine, though both had poor spring trainings at the plate. Romine batted .171 ( 6for35); Murphy hit .238 ( 10for43).
The Phillies had an interest inRomine early in the exhibition schedule, but that seems to have dissipated.