Gardner started in left field Sunday — even with Granderson out of action with a broken forearm — with Melky Mesa in center leading New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi to admit that the whole idea of flip-flopping their positions this season is basically over and done with.
"I'm not 100% sure, but that's what we're talking about," explained Girardi. "We don't really have the chance to work on it. There's a chance to work on it. There's a chance I'm about to abandon it."
It is most likely, from the sound of it, that Granderson will return to centerfield when he returns from the DL in early May.
"I don't know how many games he would have in his rehab coming back," Girardi said of Grandy's return. "And that's a concern for me. So I want him to be comfortable wherever he's at, because his bat is important to us."
The manager first thought about switching the two players on Feb. 22 — but that was two days before Granderson was hit by the bone-breaking pitch. He is expected to miss 10 weeks.
The Yankees will have to make some adjustments until Granderson comes back. Look for Ichiro Suzuki to return to right field with Mesa, veteran Matt Diaz, Juan Rivera or newbie Zolio Almonte to pick up the slack in center. Unless, of course, if Girardi feels more comfortable with Gardner roaming center with left-handed pitching.
However the whole situation shakes out, expect some interesting developments during Granderson's absence.
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