It appeared to be a foregone conclusion that Jorge Posada was not going to be on the postseason roster, but after last night’s game-winning single that might change. Now, his .270 batting average off right-handers might help the Yankees.
“You look at what Jorge has done off right-handers, he’s pretty decent off right-handers,” manager Joe Girardi said. “Off lefties, he has struggled mightily this year, we know that.
“I don’t have a 100 percent [idea], but I expect him to be there.”
Of course, Girardi made that statement before Posada struck out four times Thursday.
No 20 wins for Sabathia
CC Sabathia’s final shot at reaching 20 wins for the second straight season ended with Wednesday’s no-decision. Though Sabathia technically could have a tune-up appearance, either with a short start or a bullpen appearance, the Yankees prefer him to get ready for postseason with a simulated game that could occur Sunday.
“It’s easier to do in a controlled environment,” Girardi said. “You don’t get in long innings and you don’t necessarily move the other starters in a sense and you don’t have to use the whole bullpen. So we just felt like it was a better idea.”
Jesus for backup catcher?
Jesus Montero made his first start behind the plate last night, doing so a day after Austin Romine impressed in his Yankee Stadium debut.
Both players are candidates to become the backup catcher in the postseason due to Francisco Cervelli’s absence. Cervelli is seeing a neurologist today about his fourth career concussion and the Yankees do not expect him to return.
Montero caught seven innings Sept. 11 in Anaheim and threw out one of three runners.
“He did a good job,” Girardi said. “He was called into duty 10 days ago in Anaheim on a club that’s aggressive. He never caught in the big leagues before. I thought he handled himself pretty well.
Brackman and Betances make their debut
Both young pitchers appeared in mop-up roles after Scott Proctor and Aaron Laffey followed Colon.
Andrew Brackman pitched 1 1/3 innings and faced seven hitters in a 32-pitch showing that featured 21 cut fastballs.
“I made good pitches when I had to,” Brackman said. “A couple of pitches that got away from me here and there, but overall it was good.”
Dellin Betances started the eighth and had a rough time after getting the first out. He threw 18 out of 21 pitches out of the strike zone at one point and just seven out of 27 pitches were strikes. Most of Betances’ first major league pitches were four-seam fastballs. He had four walks and a hit batter before being replaced by George Kontos.
“It definitely was hard,” Betances said. “I tried to go out and do the best I can. Unfortunately it wasn’t the case.”
Follow Yankees beat writer Larry Fleisher on Twitter @LarryFleisher.
