PORT CHARLOTTE — Greg Bird has been tremendous this spring.
Chris Carter has not.
In the eighth inning of Thursday’s 5-5 exhibition tie against the Rays, Carter singled to center, raising his spring batting average to .122.
In 41 spring at-bats, he has struck out 22 times.
“There are times spring training can be the most frustrating time for a hitter, because it just feels like nothing you do is right,” Joe Girardi said. “You hit a ball hard and they catch it, or you hit one just foul. He’s a guy that does strike out, but he hits a lot of home runs, and right now he’s in a little rut.”
The Yankees signed Carter to a one-year, $3.5 million contract during the offseason. His role was uncertain, largely dependent on how Bird, who missed all of last season due to a shoulder injury, performed.
Well, Bird has 14 extra-base hits this spring, earning the starting job in the process.
Meanwhile, Carter, who hit 41 homers and struck out 206 times for the Brewers last season, should see some time against lefties, but he’s going to need to pick it up once the games start to matter.
And he’s going to have to adjust to being a part-time player for the first time in a long time.
“I don’t think I’ve ever done anything like this, but I’m just trying to stay positive about it and keep working at it and keep going,” Carter said.
JOE PLEADS THE FIFTH
Joe Girardi said before Thursday’s game that the Yankees may hold off on naming a fifth starter because of an off-day heavy schedule in April.
“It’s possible,” the manager said.
The Yankees have five off-days in the first month of the season, and do not play five days in a row until April 12-16.
They could, of course, decide to give Masahiro Tanaka an extra day of rest as needed, especially since that is when the 28-year-old ace often is at his best.
Michael Pineda and CC Sabathia will slot in behind Tanaka, but the final two spots in the rotation have yet to be decided.
None of the five competitors — Luis Severino, Bryan Mitchell, Adam Warren, Chad Green and Luis Cessa — has particularly stood out among the field. Jordan Montgomery, a potential darkhorse contender, was impressive on Thursday.
Warren will make the team regardless as a starter or reliever, but the other four have minor-league options.
A possible April schedule could be: April 2 – Tanaka. April 4 – Pineda. April 5 – Sabathia. April 7 – Tanaka. April 8 – Pineda. April 9 – Sabathia. April 10 – No. 4 starter. April 12 – Tanaka. April 13 – Pineda. April 14 – Sabathia. April 15 – No. 4 starter. April 16 – No. 5 starter.
THE RIGHT STUFF?
Right-field competitors Aaron Judge and Aaron Hicks both had nice days on Thursday. Judge had two hits, including an RBI double, while Hicks added an RBI double of his own along with a diving catch in left.
Joe Girardi has said the competition will come down to the wire. Judge, 24, has minor-league options if he doesn’t get the starting job.
AUSTIN FOOT UPDATE
When asked about Tyler Austin’s injury status, Joe Girardi replied, “I think he sees the doctor in a few days and will determine — Is he just in a boot or is he still on his bad motor scooter?”
Austin has been out with a broken foot.
