SEATTLE – A red-hot start from a middle-of-the-order bat challenged the Yankees’ discipline just six games into the season.
But Aaron Boone still stuck to the long view, which is why Giancarlo Stanton was on the bench to start Wednesday’s series finale against the Mariners at T-Mobile Park.
The Yankees said throughout the spring that they would be proactive in getting Stanton semi-regular days off to keep him healthy over the long haul, an approach that paid dividends last year once the 36-year-old DH began his season in June following a battle with tennis elbow in both arms.
So even after Stanton began this season 10-for-20 through five games – going 2-for-4 in each game – he was out of the lineup Wednesday against Mariners righty George Kirby.
“This was the day we had marked with him,” Boone said before the game. “He and I talked about it a few days ago. Just wanted to stay disciplined to that, be smart here. Obviously he’s off to an amazing start. Hate having him out of that lineup, but doesn’t mean he won’t have the most important at-bat today. He’ll be available off the bench at some point in a big spot. But wanted to be disciplined to this day.”
Boone acknowledged that Stanton’s monster start to the season made it a little harder to not write his name into the lineup, but he also knows the value of getting him an off day into a team day off – something the Yankees did often with the veteran last season.
“I think the way we had those days in there kept him available regularly,” Boone said. “Also last year, more than ever before too, he was a little bit of a factor off the bench for us too. Just because he’s not starting doesn’t mean he’s not that presence or factor at some point in the game. But I do think hopefully, this is something that over the long haul will keep him available pretty much all the time. Hopefully it’s something that serves him and us well.”
Ben Rice moved to DH on Wednesday while Paul Goldschmidt got the start at first base. Amed Rosario also started at third base for Ryan McMahon, who was off to a slow start (1-for-14, seven strikeouts).
