LAKELAND, Fla. — Didi Gregorius played shortstop against the Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Fla., and Stephen Drew, normally the starting second baseman, was at short versus the Pirates at George M. Steinbrenner Field on Thursday.
Brendan Ryan didn’t know when he would return from a Grade 2 right calf strain, Rob Refsnyder’s solid bat and suspect defense were sent to the minor league complex, and Gregorio Petit, acquired Wednesday night from the Astros, will be the backup infielder.
Say hello to the Yankees’ middle-infield situation that no longer has a cloud over Gregorius’ head.
Gregorius is the biggest name in the bunch because he is the regular shortstop and asked to take over for Derek Jeter. He played for the first time since Saturday due to a sprained left wrist.
“I felt really great at the plate and hopefully I will be in there [Friday], too,” said Gregorius, who went 0-for-3 and played five innings in the field.
Petit’s versatility and hitting from the right side played a role in him making the team.
“We brought him in here with that in mind,’’ general manager Brian Cashman said of the 30-year-old Petit, a right-handed hitter who is a .278 career hitter in 62 big league games, making the club.
“I am excited to be part of the team,’’ said Petit, who has played with the A’s and Astros. “I am ready to accept the challenge and do my best for the Yankees.’’
Petit’s first game at Yankee Stadium was last Aug. 19, and he was in the starting lineup at short. His counterpart was Jeter.
“The last time I was in New York was the first time I was there, and it was an unbelievable feeling,’’ said Petit, who grew up with a Yankees fan for a father and called Vergilio in Venezuela with the news Wednesday evening. “He was playing shortstop.’’
Manager Joe Girardi was asked if on the days Gregorius sits whether Petit or Drew play short.
“It’s probably something that I need to talk about our scouts with. I made the lineup [Thursday] before I knew [Petit] was going to be here,’’ the manager said of Petit, who went 0-for-2.
Drew, who played short for 8 ½ years until the final two months last season, joked about making two throws Alex Rodriguez scooped out of the dirt at first.
“I told Alex, he needs the practice over there. We might as well just give you some while we’re at it,’’ Ryan said.
As for Ryan, he was dejected.
“Not good, physically and spiritually,’’ Ryan said while standing in front of his locker with the aid of one crutch. “Pretty bummed out one week before Opening Day. It’s crazy upsetting.’’
Asked if he could pinpoint the exact moment the calf muscle was injured when he jumped for a chopper up the middle Wednesday, he couldn’t.
“I’m still trying to figure that out. I play it back in my head over and over,” said Ryan, who was sidelined at the start of camp by a muscular problem in the back. “It felt like a charley horse and thought it was cramping. I reached down to feel what was going on and I didn’t feel a knot or anything and I went to take another step and I said, ‘Oh boy that didn’t feel right.’ I took another step and said, ‘I can’t walk.’ I couldn’t tell when I saw it on replay. I am confused about it and really disappointed.’’
Ryan didn’t know how long he will be out, but Cashman mentioned May at the earliest.
“No idea because it is going to depend on how I heal. They are talking about a PRP [platelet rich plasma]. Hopefully that will speed it up,’’ Ryan said.
