Return of Yankees pitching coach might bode well for Burnett
Somewhere, New York Yankees pitcher A.J. Burnett is cracking the first smile he’s shown in a while.
No one player’s performance seems more linked to the presence of Yankees pitching coach Dave Eiland, who Yankees Manager Joe Girardi said will return from his leave of absence on Tuesday.
Eiland’s hiatus for an undisclosed personal matter began on June 4 and coincides with Burnett’s recent slide.
The right-hander is 0-5 with an 11.35 earned-run average in June, the latest defeat coming when he was pulled in the fourth inning of a 9-4 loss to the Dodgers on Saturday.
Girardi said he hopes Eiland’s return can help Burnett turn things around.
“Obviously, it’s important for us to get A.J. back on track,” Girardi said. “And if it works, it’ll be great.”
Sabathia unlikely to pitch in All-Star game
Girardi’s first priority is the Yankees.
A new rule says pitchers who start the Sunday preceding an All-Star game can be picked for the team but cannot pitch in the game. As scheduled, Girardi said pitcher C.C. Sabathia will hit the mound against the Mariners on July 11, two days before the game at Angel Stadium.
When asked if he would ever tinker with his lineup to adjust for the rule, Girardi said, “We got to worry about our season.”
Sabathia, who pitches first in the Yankees’ rotation, is 9-3 with a 3.49 ERA.
And, like his coach, Sabathia said he is more focused on improving the Yankees than playing in the All-Star game.
“I don’t care either way,” Sabathia said. “I hate to make it sound that way, but I really don’t. I’m here to help the Yankees win games. If I’m slated to pitch that day, then that’s the way it will be.”
Three the hard way
The Yankees lead the American League in triples with 19. Fourth in the majors, the Yankees are led in triples by outfielder Brett Gardner’s four. Not far behind are right fielder Nick Swisher and catcher Francisco Cervelli with three each.
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