BOSTON — Because Chase Headley has developed into the poster child for everything that ails the Yankees’ lineup, other players’ struggles have been glossed over.
Among that group is Brian McCann, who started Saturday night’s 8-0 loss to the Red Sox at Fenway Park in a 2-for-19 (.105) slide that might be the product of the foul tip he took off the big toe on his left foot April 12 in Toronto. Following that problem, which forced him to miss the following game, McCann was 6-for-44 (.136) going into Saturday night’s action.
Only one of those six hits was an extra-base hit — the three-run homer he blasted against the Rays on April 22 in a 6-3 win at Yankee Stadium.
The left-handed-hitting catcher went 2-for-3 with a pair of singles Saturday night.
“I don’t think so,” manager Joe Girardi said regarding whether of McCann’s toe still is an issue. “I am sure there is still some soreness, and I prefer it doesn’t get hurt again, but he has not complained of it.”
Since the problem surfaced, McCann has started 13 of 16 games.
Headley started Saturday night in a horrific 2-for-27 (.074) slump but was in the lineup batting ninth against right-hander and Seton Hall Prep product Rick Porcello. According to hitting coach Alan Cockrell, the switch-hitting Headley was affected by having just 25 at-bats against right-handers and tough luck versus lefties. Overall, he was batting .140 (8-for-57) without an extra-base hit.
Headley went 1-for-3 with a single that glanced off third baseman Travis Shaw’s glove.
Girardi likely will start Aaron Hicks Sunday night against Red Sox lefty David Price.
Hicks hasn’t started a game since April 22, when he injured his left shoulder diving for a ball.
The switch-hitting Hicks was acquired from the Twins for John Ryan Murphy with the expectation he would help against lefties. However, he is 1-for-16 (.063) against lefties after grounding out against lefty Robbie Ross as a pinch-hitter in the eighth Saturday night.
Girardi has sat Jacoby Ellsbury and Brett Gardner to play Hicks, but Carlos Beltran is in a 5-for-31 (.161) slide and could sit against Price.
Girardi doesn’t stick to one method of communicating with his struggling team that has lost 12-of-17 games.
“I have done it both ways. I have encouraged them individually and encouraged them as a group,” Girardi said. “It’s a feel that you have — what they need at what time.”
Asked if tough love was part of the deal Girardi said, “I have given that, too.”
