ANAHEIM, Calif. — When it was obvious Aaron Hicks wasn’t going to be ready to start the season due to a lower-back problem, the Yankees looked for an outfielder and checked in on Cameron Maybin, who was in the Giants’ spring training camp.
Eventually, they acquired Mike Tauchman from the Rockies and the left-handed hitter has become a regular player since Aaron Judge landed on the injured list with an oblique muscle injury.
When Clint Frazier went on the IL with a sprained ankle late Wednesday evening, the Yankees were down to three healthy outfielders and one of them was infielder Tyler Wade, who had started the previous two games in left.
So Thursday, the Yankees acquired Maybin from the Indians’ organization for cash considerations.
Maybin, 32, was playing for Cleveland’s Triple-A affiliate in Columbus, Ohio, after being released by the Giants in late March. In 14 Triple-A games, Maybin hit .216.
Wade started a third straight game in left Thursday because Maybin was expected to arrive at Angel Stadium after the game started. When Maybin showed up, he said he was looking forward to being part of the group that has more than survived with so many big names on the IL.
“I hope I can provide a spark,’’ Maybin said after watching the Yankees lose, 11-5, to the Angels. “They have had a tough time with injuries. I have been watching the game. Hope to keep things going.’’
Aaron Boone likes Maybin’s versatility.
“He has the ability to play all three outfield positions,’’ the manager said of the right-handed hitter. “We have two left-handers coming up in San Francisco and he is a good athlete with versatility.’’
Boone didn’t say Maybin will play every day.
“No, he will be part of the mix,’’ Boone said. “I would anticipate he will play [Friday] and Saturday against two lefties. We will take it day to day.’’
Maybin has played for nine big-league teams since making his major league debut as a Tiger in 2017 against the Yankees in The Bronx. He is a career .254 hitter and batted .249 in 129 games for Seattle and Miami last year
There were no previous stops with the Yankees during his wandering career, but there are a couple of ties to the club. Maybin’s first big-league hit was a single off a 45-year-old Roger Clemens and his first big league homer was against Clemens at Yankee Stadium in 2007. Not bad for a 20-year-old playing in his second game in the majors.
Also in the Tigers’ lineup for Maybin’s second big-league game were Marcus Thames, Gary Sheffield and Curtis Granderson. All three played with the Yankees and Thames will be reunited with Maybin in his role as the Yankees’ hitting coach.
In early March, during spring training in Scottsdale, Ariz., Maybin was busted for DUI. He had signed a minor league contract worth $1.75 million with the Giants.
To make room on the 40-man roster for Maybin, staff ace Luis Severino was shifted to the 60-day IL.
According to Boone, Hicks is progressing, but there are several players on the IL who are ahead of the switch-hitting center fielder when it comes to rejoining the Yankees. The team isn’t likely to rush Hicks simply because it’s strapped for outfielders, with Giancarlo Stanton, Judge, and Jacoby Ellsbury on the IL.
“[Miguel Andujar] will play an extended spring game, probably [Friday], and [Troy Tulowitzki will go] right after that. I still think Giancarlo [Stanton] gets back quicker and he will join us in Arizona,’’ said Boone, who didn’t have dates when those players would come off the IL. “Andujar is scheduled to play third base for four or five innings.”
Andujar is on the shelf due to a right shoulder problem.
According to Boone, Tulowitzki (calf) passed running tests Wednesday, ran the bases Thursday and has been hitting on the field off live pitching.
Luke Voit had three hits and has reached base in 36 straight games, which is the longest active streak in the majors. The streak ties the Yankees record for the longest by a Yankee since Derek Jeter did it from Aug. 27, 2012 to July 28, 2013.
