Crawling along
Baby Bombers Bird, Sanchez continue slow starts
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — For all the success Gary Sanchez and Greg Bird had in their respective first go-rounds in the majors, it’s probably important to remember that both of them lasted about two months.
Neither has endured the grind of a full major league season and the inevitable slumps along the way.
Sanchez hit so many milestones during his two-month stint at the end of last season with the Yankees, it’s almost an afterthought that he ended the year in a 2for-29 funk with 12 strikeouts.
The rough patch seems to have carried over, as Sanchez opened 2017 going hitless in his first 11 atbats before a single to center in the second inning of Wednesday’s 4-1 loss to the Rays at Tropicana Field.
There were some hard-hit balls that ended up as outs and a ball to right in the Opening Day loss that nearly dropped in for a double, but so far, the results have not been good. And for a player whose career was marked by disappointment before a breakout 2016, the first three games have hardly been encouraging.
Bird also has just one hit through the season’s first three games. After Wednesday’s game, he had his right ankle wrapped in ice, stemming from when he fouled a ball off it near the end of spring training.
“It’s bruised, but it’s feeling better,” said Bird, who didn’t think it was impacting his play. “I just don’t tie my shoe as tight.”
Manager Joe Girardi said he’s not concerned about Sanchez and Bird — and hitting coach Alan Cockrell had an explanation for their struggles.
“They’re simple guys,’’ Cockrell said. “Usually it comes down to approach and I think they both came out a little anxious and got outside themselves a little bit.”
To make matters worse, the two hit back-to-back near the top of the lineup, so when they struggle, it’s tough on the entire offense, which is part of the reason Cock- rell said the team will take early batting practice before Friday’s series opener in Baltimore.
“We had some success in spring and now we’re off to a slow start,” Bird said. “We’ll get it figured out. Gary’s a great hitter. He puts in a lot of work.”
Sanchez managed to show his value behind the plate, gunning down Kevin Kiermaier as he tried to swipe second with Evan Longoria at the plate to end the third.
Most likely, the sluggish opening series will be a blip for Sanchez — and Bird — but neither have long track records of success in the majors.
“They’re not getting hits,’’ Girardi said. “But I think they’re atbats are pretty good.”
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Scouts who saw CC Sabathia throw five shutout innings at the Rays on Tuesday night were impressed with the performance and noted an upgrade in velocity compared to this time a year ago.
According to a talent evaluator on hand, Sabathia’s two-seam fastball was between 90-93 mph, as opposed to 85-89 a year ago.
“I think it’s a combination of being totally healthy and no worries and not feeling any pain or anything like that,’’ Sabathia, who had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee after last season, said before the Yankees’ 4-1 loss to the Rays on Wednesday night. “Hopefully I can continue to get stronger and build on [Tuesday night].’’
Sabathia allowed three hits, two walks and struck out two in a 5-0 victory.
The increased velocity might be the product of it being early in a very long season, but pitching coach Larry Rothschild wasn’t surprised about the spike.
“We saw those days last year,” Rothschild said. “They were there early and in the middle and the velocity was up. Not all the time, but he is capable of showing it.’’ Didi Gregorius and Tyler Austin visited the Yankees dur- ing batting practice at Tropicana Field.
Gregorius’ throwing program started Monday from 60 feet and he repeated that Tuesday. Gregorius didn’t throw Wednesday and will stretch it to 90 feet Thursday.
When Gregorius was lost to a right shoulder injury March 21, it was estimated he could resume baseball activities April 18 if there were no setbacks. The Yankees are hopeful of getting their shortstop back in early May.
“I really don’t know the schedule. I do what they tell me,’’ said Gregorius, who is swinging a bat with just his left hand. “I really want to be here before May. I don’t like sitting out, but I have to work my way back.’’
Manager Joe Girardi started Ronald Torreyes at shortstop for the third straight game (he went 0-for-3). Girardi said he believes the timetable for Gregorius to play in games isn’t as rigid as the shortstop’s throwing program.
“I think the throwing program will go as planned. The amount of games he plays in is really how he feels and how he is swinging,’’ Girardi said. “That timetable is a little more flexible than the throwing program.’’
The Yankees used the same batting order in all three games and Gary Sanchez, Greg Bird and Matt Holliday went a combined .108 (4-for-37).