Yankees To Start Season Sans Granderson; Is Soriano The Answer?
TAMPA, Fla. (CBSNewYork/AP) — Curtis Granderson jogged to first base after being hit on his right forearm as if it was a minor annoyance. Back at the ballpark in a brace a couple of hours later, it was clear the Yankees had a pretty big power problem on their hands.
In his first at-bat of spring training, the slugger broke his arm when he hit by a pitch from Toronto's J.A. Happ in the bottom of the first inning Sunday, and is expected to be out until the first week of May.
"Grandy is not a bat you say is easy to replace, but we're going to have to find a way," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "No one is going to feel sorry for you."
The Yankees, who were beat 2-0 by a Blue Jays' split squad, first called it a bruise but X-rays revealed the break.
"Five pitches in we got a little setback," Granderson said. "Now we rest, recovery, get it back, and get ready to play whenever that day comes."
SWEENY: No need for panic move
The team said Granderson could be out 10 weeks, which means he'll miss about a month of the regular season.
"Mentally, you understand this is part of it, but at the same time now there's not much I can do about it except do the best things I can to not make it worse," Granderson said. "Keep myself ready to go."
It's a major blow for the Yankees, who are already without Alex Rodriguez until at least the All-Star break. The Yankees also lost Nick Swisher to free agency.
Chicago Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano was asked Sunday if he'd consider waiving his no-trade rights to reunite with the Yankees.
"I don't like to say no," Soriano said , according to the Chicago Tribune. "That's the team that opened the door for me in the big leagues. But, like I said, that was a long time ago. ... It happened today, so I don't know if they want to call (the Cubs) or not. But if they call for me I have to think about it. I'm 37 years old, so I have to think about it first, what's good for me and the team and my family too."
Soriano hit .262 with 32 home runs and 108 RBIs last season. He said he wants to "give it one more shot" with the Cubs.
"Let's see how this team does. I want to be a champion with the Cubs," said Soriano. "That's my plan. If we don't get off to a good start, I'll have to think about a new plan."
Cubs president Theo Epstein said he'd consider a trade if it was a good fit for both Soriano and Chicago.
"If we can get him to a winner and get a good package back we'd consider it. We haven't even been tempted yet," Epstein told CBSSports.com. "He's a valuable guy here. He's more valuable to us than anything we've been offered … by far.''
Granderson led New York with 43 homers last season. The Yankees hit 245 homers last year and had five players with at least 20. This year they could open the season with just two players, Mark Teixeira and Robinson Cano, who topped 20.
Granderson was examined near first base before leaving the game.
"It didn't sound good," said Yankees third baseman Kevin Youkilis, who was in the on-deck circle when Granderson got hit.
The Yankees were planning to experiment during exhibition games to see if they would move Granderson from center to left, with Brett Gardner going from left to center. That potential alignment is on hold.
Girardi said that Gardner will likely start the season in center.
Matt Diaz and Juan Rivera, in the competition for the fourth outfielder spot, could see increased playing time.
"We'll be forced to take a look at a short-term option," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "Obviously, we'll being get Curtis back. It's very early. We're still evaluating what we actually have in camp. The first month there will be a vacancy that we need to fill. Is that internal, external, I couldn't even tell you."
Cashman said he is not in favor of giving infielder Eduardo Nunez a look in left field.
What should the Yankees do with Granderson out to start the season? Be heard in the comments...
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