Party people
Yanks plan to celebrate their wild-card berth
Joe Girardi expects the Yankees to celebrate if and when they clinch a playoff spot, even if it’s just for entry into the wildcard game.
“I think so,” Girardi said before the Yankees faced the White Sox on Saturday at the Stadium with hopes of catching the Blue Jays in the AL East slipping out of their grasp. “It’s an accomplishment. When you go to work after the season and you do the offseason training and the offseason moves are made and spring training and the grind, it should be a celebration.”
It’s one they’ve been waiting for since missing the postseason each of the past two seasons. And though the Yankees have sprayed champagne the last time they clinched a wildcard berth back in 2010 — they were headed to the ALDS, not a onegame playoff.
Still, Girardi believes his team is making the most of its run toward October, even if might not be the way they would have drawn it up.
“I think there’s an excitement in that clubhouse to get back to the playoffs,” Girardi said. “I think they’re enjoying going through this.”
The team spent much of the second half paying attention to what Toronto was doing on a daily basis, but now also has turned its attention to the teams trailing them for the wild card.
“I think you look at everything,” Girardi said.
There remains no guarantee Masahiro Tanaka will return to the Yankees rotation before the end of the regular season.
Tanaka received treatment Saturday after throw ing his first bullpen on Friday since suffering a strained right hamstring while running out a bunt against the Mets. He jogged again prior to Saturday’s game, but still hasn’t run full speed.
“I think he’ll pitch,” Girardi said. “I’m pretty confident in that. We’ve got to make sure he’s where needs to be.”
Still, it’s not the same optimism the team showed earlier in the week, when it looked like Tanaka would rejoin the rotation as early as Monday.
“It’s really a daybyday thing, how he feels and where he feels he’s at and us determining where we slide him in,” Girardi said. “I think he needs to know he can go through everything.”
Nathan Eovaldi played catch for a second time Saturday since being shut down with elbow in flammation. And while the righthander reported no problems, Girardi didn’t expect him to be able to return to the rotation even if he’s fully healthy.
“I think it’s hard for him to be a starter,’’ Girardi said. “We’ll see where he’s at after playing catch for a week.”
With the White Sox starting another lefty Saturday, Rob Refsnyder got a third straight start after not starting a game since July.
Girardi said Refsnyder could continue to play a key role down the stretch, especially if the Yankees face more southpaws: “It’s possible. It could happen ...” Luis Severino will look to make his third straight solid start after stumbling against the Blue Jays earlier in the month. In his previous two outings, the rookie has given up three runs over 11 ²/₃ innings, both Yankees wins.