The Yankees may need Eduardo Nunez at shortstop a while longer, especially because of the right quadriceps injury Derek Jeter suffered in Thursday’s 8-4 win over the Royals at the Stadium. Though the Yankees had previously all but given up on the idea of Nunez as anything but a backup shortstop, the situation has changed.
General manager Brian Cashman wouldn’t rule out the possibility of Nunez shifting to third base should the need arise.
“I think he’s an option based on whatever our options are,” Cashman said. “It comes down to feel from Joe [Girardi]’s perspective.”
Nevertheless, Cashman said he believes Nunez is best suited at short.
“We believe that he’s a shortstop,” Cashman said. “But because of his athleticism, he can play all over.”
PHOTOS: JETER RETURNS TO YANKEES LINEUP
In the past, Nunez hasn’t been able to play all over, which is why the Yankees wanted him to focus on just playing shortstop.
But as they have found out numerous times this season, they need versatility.
Nunez made some nice plays at short, but also made an ugly error when he lost the grip on a routine grounder in the fifth.
The miscue didn’t end up hurting the Yankees, but even with Jeter back in the lineup, they can’t afford to make too many mistakes.
* Brett Gardner, who left Wednesday’s game after he was hit above the right ankle, was held out of the starting lineup, but was able to pinch-hit for Jeter in the eighth inning yesterday. He flied out to center.
Girardi said he is hopeful Gardner will be able to start Friday night, but was not as optimistic about Travis Hafner, who also suffered an injury Wednesday when he fouled a ball off his right foot hitting in the batting cage during the game.
It was Hafner’s absence that helped lead to Jeter’s activation yesterday, since Jeter replaced Hafner at designated hitter.
* Struggling backup catcher Austin Romine delivered a pair of hits, including a run-scoring double in the second inning.
“It’s a long time coming,” Romine said. “It felt good to be able to put a short swing on the ball.”
* To make room for Jeter on the roster, the Yankees designated first baseman Travis Ishikawa for assignment. … Lyle Overbay drove in two runs with a bases-loaded single in the fifth and now has 10 RBIs in 10 at-bats with the bases loaded this season. … The Yankees improved to 16-3 against the AL Central this season.
Additional reporting by Mark Hale