ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The clunky Yankees’ infield got clunkier Saturday, when they activated Rougned Odor to serve as a backup following his acquisition from the Rangers. To make room for Odor, who has only played second base in his major league career, Tyler Wade was optioned to the alternate site but will remain with the Yankees, on the taxi squad, during the road trip.
It leaves the Yankees without a true backup shortstop. Some might argue they have no shortstop of any kind, as Gleyber Torres continues to struggle.
Manager Aaron Boone said Odor, 27, would be “part of the infield mix. Anytime [an infielder] is down, he’s a guy I’ll plug in.”
Boone pointed to the fact Odor played “a lot” of third base in spring training with the Rangers, but acknowledged he has been a second baseman his entire career.
With Luke Voit out rehabbing from left knee surgery, the Yankees continue to use Jay Bruce at first base despite his lack of experience at the position.
On days when Torres doesn’t play (he has started every game so far this season), Gio Urshela will be used at short, which means Odor or DJ LeMahieu would slide over to third.
Urshela said he feels “comfortable” at shortstop, especially since that’s essentially where he plays when the Yankees shift against some lefty hitters.
“I don’t worry about Gio [at shortstop],’’ Boone said of Urshela, who returned to the lineup after sitting Friday because of a reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine he received Wednesday. “He’s gonna catch it if you hit it to him. I know he’ll at least do a capable job out there.”
At this point, the Yankees will take that.
Boone said he believes Torres is in a “good place” defensively.
“There’s no denying he’s had a couple plays at the start that were understandably high profile,’’ Boone said of Torres’ early miscues. “That leads to some adversity you’ve got to be able to face it head on. … He has the confidence and ability to get through this on the other side.”
The shaky infield defense has already hurt the Yankees. An errant throw by Torres cost them a run in extra innings in Wednesday’s loss to the Orioles and poor glovework resulted in a pair of unearned runs in Friday’s loss to the Rays.
The Yankees took a chance on Odor, giving up a pair of minor league outfielders for the infielder who was designated for assignment by Texas prior to Opening Day.
They’re hoping a change of scenery gets Odor back to the player he was in his first years with the Rangers, when he was a productive left-handed bat.
He hit 30 homers in 2019, but struggled a year ago. Boone said Odor could be in the lineup Sunday.
Derek Dietrich was brought in to spring training on a minor league deal for a similar role — power lefty bat and can play the infield — but he remains at the alternate site.
As for Wade, Boone said he told him: “I still think he’s gonna play a big role on this team moving forward. That hasn’t changed based on the circumstances.”