If the New York Yankees needed an excuse to start Rob Refsnyder they might have it. With the wild card game looming over the American League East team, injuries are beginning to pile up for the team. With the pitching rotation hot and cold right now, infield players are being rotated thanks to injury issues and Stephen Drew is the latest victim with a concussion.
According to Andrew Marchand of ESPN.com, Drew is undergoing concussion tests, but the Yankees believe the second baseman could be out for the year. Drew has not played for the past week thanks to the injury and managed Joe Girardi is not optimistic that he comes back this season. Drew has certainly been a hot topic this year as he is batting just .201 on the season while he finishes out a one-year deal worth $5 million.
In Drew's place, Refsnyder continues to impress at the position. The Yankees have been patient with Refsnyder and did not bring him back up until September callups. However, it is clear he is the favored long-term option at the spot. With Dustin Ackley also dealing with injury issues and Brendan Ryan not impressing, Refsnyder has a chance to keep the spot in the lineup. Girardi told the media he is not ready to hand things over to the rookie just yet.
"I don't know," Girardi said, via the New York Post. "It's too early, but we like the way he's swung the bat and defensively, he's done a good job. So I'll continue to give him more opportunities."
The Yankees have had good luck with rookies this year. Luis Severino has cemented a spot in the starting rotation and will be a factor come the wildcard game. Greg Bird is also the new favorite at first base. With Mark Teixeira continuing to deal with injuries, Bird is the long-term favorite. Trade talk has begun to swirl around Teixeira as his contract does not match his production. However, it is clear the Yankees are missing his production against lefties as they lack a bat that can fill his spot in the lineup. That will play very little into his future with the franchise going forward.
