Hallelujah! Girardi Considers Moving Jeter Out of Leadoff Spot

From Mark Feinsand:

Derek Jeter was in his customary leadoff spot Wednesday night against David Price and the Rays, while the red-hot Brett Gardner occupied the No. 9 position.

But with every game that Gardner continues to swing a scorching bat and Jeter struggles, the idea of moving the speedy Gardner into the leadoff spot becomes more attractive.

"He's going so well, it's something I'll definitely consider," Girardi said. "We'll just wait and see what happens."

Moving Gardner atop the lineup will be the easy part for Girardi. Figuring out where to slot Jeter? That would be a challenge.

...

"He hasn't got a ton of hits," Girardi said. "He's had some good at-bats and he's gotten some hits. He had a big hit in Toronto for us, but collectively we haven't necessarily had a lot of this on this road trip. We've had a couple of big games, but we haven't had a ton."

...

"There's some different things that we could do," Girardi said. "We definitely could play with it. I think you think about it more when you have pieces missing. Without Alex in the lineup, it just makes it different, so you think about it a little more."

...

"I think if you're going to make a lineup change, you try to inform everybody, everyone that it affects so that they're not shocked when they show up at the ballpark," Girardi said. "I have respect for these guys and if I'm going to do something, I'm going to prepare for it."

As uncomfortable as that conversation with the Captain has the potential to be, Girardi said he wouldn't hesitate to make a move with Jeter if and when he feels it's necessary.

"I think if you ever have a situation where you have to move a player that is of substantial status - and that was not expecting a move - that you'd sit down and talk to him before you ever did it and tell him your thoughts, his thoughts, and be respectful about it and tell him what you're thinking," Girardi said. "I have to do what I feel is best for the team. When you look at a lineup, you look at how it works together, not independent of one guy. No, I'm not afraid to have that conversation."

This is a move that should have happened last season so at least they're finally openly considering it.

Game 95: Yanks @ Rays

YANKEES (56-38)
Derek Jeter SS
Curtis Granderson CF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Robinson Cano 2B
Nick Swisher DH
Russell Martin C
Andruw Jones RF
Eduardo Nunez 3B
Brett Gardner LF

Pitching: RHP Freddy Garcia (7-7, 3.43 ERA)

RAYS (51-44)
Johnny Damon DH
Robinson Chirinos C
Casey Kotchman 1B
Evan Longoria 3B
Matt Joyce RF
B.J. Upton CF
Sam Fuld LF
Sean Rodriguez 2B
Reid Brignac SS

Pitching: LHP David Price (9-7, 3.73 ERA)

First Pitch: 7:10 PM | TV: YES | Radio: WCBS 880

Nova Update

The SWB Yanks have placed Ivan Nova DL with what they're calling an ankle problem. According to Chad Jennings via Donnie Collins, Joe Girardi said that Nova is feeling better today. The right-hander went for an X-ray today, which came back negative.

Doesn't sound too bad to me, but let's just hope it isn't something that lingers.

Chavez Picks Up 4 Hits in 2nd Rehab Game

Eric Chavez went 4-for-5 with two runs scored today as Tampa beat Jupiter 10-3. It was Chavez second straight day as the designated hitter. He will play third tomorrow when Tampa travels to Bradenton to face the Marauders. Rafael Soriano will also pitch in Thursday's game.

Yanks Among Several Teams Talking To Padres About Relievers

Last month, Joel Sherman reported that both Heath Bell and Chad Qualls would likely be available so I assume that's who the Yankees are asking about.

Air Date Announced for DJ3K HBO Special

Girardi Unsure About Soriano's Role When He Returns

From Alden Gonzalez:

Tuesday was the day Rafael Soriano made his first rehab appearance since landing on the disabled list with right elbow inflammation on May 17. But it wasn't the day Yankees manager Joe Girardi would say with any certainty that Soriano will reclaim his job as setup man upon returning.

The way Girardi sees it, there's no need to jump the gun.

"Look, I'm not saying what I'm going to do or what I'm not going to do," Girardi explained prior to the second game of a four-game series against the Rays. "The biggest thing is I have to get this guy healthy and know how he's throwing the baseball. If he's throwing the baseball the way that he's capable of, I've got a great thing going, because I have two guys that can do the same job. And that's a great problem to have."

...

When asked on Thursday in Toronto if Soriano would be his setup man when activated, Girardi said: "Let's just see. Let's just get him back first."

Five days later, the manager's thoughts essentially remained the same.

"We have to see how he's throwing and how he's feeling before I can make any determination," Girardi said. "The big thing is we have to get him back healthy and throwing the way that he's capable of. We'll just see what happens. But we have to get him back first."

For now, I think D-Rob has earned the right to keep the setup role. If Soriano comes back and shows he can regain his form from the last few seasons, then it becomes a decision that has to be made, but until then I'd have Soriano in the 7th, D-Rob in the 8th, and of course, Mo in the 9th.

Chavez & Soriano Start Their Rehab In Tampa

Eric Chavez and Rafael Soriano began their minor-league rehab stints today in Tampa 11-0 loss to Jupiter.

- Chavez DH'ed and went 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout.

- Soriano pitched 1.1 innings, allowing 2 runs on 2 hits including a homer, and struck out 1.