New York Yankees: Is Brett Gardner being phased out of left field?

There is no room for cold streaks during a 60-game campaign, and the New York Yankees understand that concept. They’ve been rotating players in and out of the lineup to see who clicks fast and can contribute offensively. The Yankees nearly lost a game against the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday evening. Slugger Aaron Judge came to the rescue and hit a three-run home run to take the lead in the top of the ninth inning.

The other big storyline on the night was Gleyber Torres’ elbow injury. He was plunked on the right inside elbow and subsequently left the game a few innings later. Luckily, x-rays returned negative, and he should be prepared to play on Friday or Saturday, given how intense the contusion is.

However, the Yankees made another change in left field, taking usual starter Brett Gardner out of the lineup. Prior to Thursday’s game, Gardner has started four games, earning 12 plate appearances and just one walk to show for his attempts. Brett has struck out in seven of his 11 at-bats and currently hosts a .000 batting average.

Will the New York Yankees begin to phase out Gardiner in left field?

As we have seen the past few weeks, the Yankees are determined to develop Miguel Andujar into a starting outfielder. So far in left, he has played two games, looking a bit uncomfortable at times. Fortunately, he held down the spot and did his job well. Over five at-bats, he has one hit and just one strikeout. The sample size is extremely small, but at least he has a hit to show for himself. Mike Tauchman, the alternative left fielder available, has three strikeouts on five at-bats and zero hits.

Tauchman is probably the best defensive outfielder aside from the starters, which gives the Yankees a solid depth piece to utilize if need be. Against the Orioles on Thursday, both Andujar and Tauchman split reps in left field. They both enjoyed two at-bats, with Andujar recording the only hit between the two.

“We really loved what we saw from him in left field,” Boone said of Miguel Andujar. “He seemed to kind of take to it right away. I feel like he’s absolutely returned physically to the player we saw in his rookie year. To his credit, he has worked really hard defensively, not only at third, but in the outfield to try and create more opportunities for him.”

Of course, I would be remiss not to mention Clint Frazier. The speedy bat has been sitting at the alternative training site, while the Yankees continue forward through the season. Frazier showed an incredible burst of maturity and looked the part of a starter during summer camp.

Manager Aaron Boone had to make a difficult decision and sit him despite the positives he put forth:

“Clint’s ready to be an impact player in this league. There’s no doubt in my mind,” Boone said. “Unfortunately for him, he’s blocked right now with a lot of good outfielders. … It’s hard when you’re sending down a big league player that you know is ready to produce, but it’s kind of the situation we’re in right now.”

“I’m really proud of who he is right now and where he’s at,” Boone said. “It doesn’t make it any less difficult in every facet, because you’re sending down a player that you know is ready to be an impact player in the big leagues. That’s a hard thing to do. I feel like the work he’s put in and the strides he’s made in every aspect of his game are real.”

While I believe Frazier will earn his opportunity sooner rather than later, he will just have to wait until the timing is right. Boone mentioned that the situational aspect of their schedule promoted the usage of Tauchman and Andujar more-so than Frazier.

Giving him some consistent at some consistent at-bats might change the narrative in left field.