BOSTON — When it comes to lineup decisions that seem to draw the ire of a different set of fans on social media every day, Aaron Boone basically puts such issues in the good ol’ problem pool.
“We have a really good team and a lot of good players who deserve to play even on some days they’re not there,” the Yankees manager said before the 4-1 win at Fenway Park. “This does not mean that they are not the most central figure of the day [off the bench]”.
Wednesday’s decisions against Boston’s Ranger Suarez — a lefty traditionally difficult for left-handed hitters — included starting Paul Goldschmidt over Ben Rice at first base and Randall Grichuk batting sixth and playing left field, moving Cody Bellinger to center while Trent Gresham takes a bench for the second straight game.
Rice has crushed both lefties and righties this season, but Boone wanted Goldschmidt to start against a pitcher with such extreme splits.
Goldschmidt went 0-for-4, though he started the game with a 10-pitch battle that ended in a strikeout and made several impressive selections at first base.
Even as Goldschmidt starts, Boone has shown he’s willing to replace Rice once the left fielder is lifted from the game. This time, Rice pinch-hit for Amed Rosario in the sixth inning and struck out, now 1-for-2 with a home run, a sacrifice fly and a walk as a pinch hitter.
The Red Sox have not announced a starter for Thursday, but it’s possible that Payton Tull will be left-handed. Boone suggested that if that were the case, Rice would start, marking his second start in three games against the southpaw.
Goldschmidt saw increasingly limited playing time as Rice began to establish himself against lefties as well.
Boone said the 16-year-old pro and former MVP handled the situation “fantastically.”
“Benny’s been getting more and more chances, and I think he’s done a great job against left-handed pitching,” Boone said. “It’s obvious what he’s become and the presence he is. It’s been more challenging.” [to find Goldschmidt time]”.
One way to swing the bats of Rice and Goldschmidt in lineups against lefties would be to put Rice at catcher and sit Austin Wells, but Boone said such a move was not imminent. Rice has been catching bullpen sessions and live hitting practice to stay sharp.
“At some point, it becomes a possibility,” Boone said of Rice’s experience as a catcher. “There is nothing I have scheduled.”
Sitting Rice has gotten the most attention because of a bat that has taken a stellar turn, but benching Grisham — typically a leadoff hitter, who makes $22 million and is hitting better after a slow start — could be controversial.
But Boone suggested it was not controversial because all the players understood and were prepared to come off the bench. Gresham ended up striking out in the sixth inning and went 0-for-2.
“I want to keep everyone going,” Boone said. “There are roles that everyone should have, as some players have real strengths against certain players and want to take advantage of them as well.”
Red Sox outfielder Sonny Gray is no longer part of the contention, as he was placed on the injured list with a hamstring strain on Tuesday.
But the former Yankee was excited to compete against his former team, telling the Boston media this winter that it was good to end up with a team “where it’s easy to hate the Yankees.”
Gray, who played well for the A’s, Reds, Cardinals and Twins but struggled with the Yankees, told Boston media he never wanted to be a Yankee in the first place. General manager Brian Cashman said afterward that Gray told people around the league and with the Yankees in 2017 that he wanted out of Oakland and wanted to become a Yankee, which helped spur the trade at the deadline.
As Wednesday approached, Gray did not want to comment further on his or Cashman’s statements, or his time in New York.
“I have nothing to say,” Gray said.
The Yankees placed Ryan Weathers on the paternity list and recalled right-hander Jake Bird.
Boone expected Weathers’ schedule would not be affected. It will likely start Saturday in Houston.
Anthony Volpe went 0-for-3 with a strikeout in seven innings in his second rehab start with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.