WASHINGTON — Clint Frazier joked about being the “26th Man of the Year.” But in reality, his latest stint with the Yankees will be for more than just one day.
Frazier was summoned from Triple-A Scranton prior to Monday’s resumption of a suspended game against the Nationals from May 15, which Washington won 5-3. The corresponding move was Ronald Torreyes again being sent down to the RailRiders.
Frazier didn’t appear in Game 1, but was hit by a pitch as a pinch-hitter and scored during the seventh inning of the Bombers’ 4-2 victory over the Nationals in Game 2.
The 23-year-old outfielder will head back to New York with the Bombers for their three-game series with the Mariners. The reason being that Brett Gardner (right knee inflammation) may need more time, though Aaron Boone doesn’t think the veteran will require a stint on the disabled list.
Boone even said Gardner, who had an MRI Sunday morning which revealed the inflammation, could be available to the Yankees in Game 2 on Monday night in an emergency situation.
“We needed to be covered with an extra outfielder so that forced us to make the swap,” said the manager, who added that Torreyes handled the tough news like a pro. “It was obviously a difficult decision, but we felt like this covers us and makes the most sense for right now.”
Frazier wants to be in the majors permanently, but he’s blocked by the likes of Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Hicks and Gardner. Rather than Frazier, righty Giovanny Gallegos will serve as the team’s 26th man in Game 2.
“It’s hard not to be unhappy about the situation,” Frazier admitted. “But I’m just happy now that I got a change of scenery. And everyone’s chances will come.”
Brandon Drury has an inspirational quote in his phone, Frazier said, that is something to the effect of, “Sometimes you think you’re being buried when really you’re being planted.”
“He’s got a cool mindset,” Frazier said of Drury. “All of us have been hanging out and coping with the feeling of being down there (in Scranton) every night.”
Drury is hitting .360 in 39 games at Triple-A Scranton, while Frazier is hitting .312 in 38 games. Frazier is also 3-for-8 in three big-league games.
Chad Green will begin the suspended game, which is tied 3-3 going into the bottom of the sixth inning. Boone reasoned that it was just like any game, and it was resuming in a high-leverage situation, which is suited for Green.
OF NOTE
Boone called it “odd” looking at the lineup card and trying to figure everything out in Game 1. … Neil Walker will take over for Tyler Austin, who was sent down to Triple-A Scranton, at first for the resumption of the suspended game. … Austin Romine will catch the second game with Sonny Gray on the mound.
