Mike Ford, a non-drafted free agent from Princeton University and Belle Mead, NJ, made his major league debut Thursday night when he was the designated hitter for the Yankees.
Outside of offering a smart “no comment’’ when asked about getting called out on strikes for the final out of the Yankees’ 6-1 loss to the Royals at the Stadium, the personable Ford gushed about a memorable night.
“Just trying to enjoy it,’’ said Ford, who went 0-for-3 with a walk. “It was all you can imagine.’’
Ford was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday. He was hitting .410 with five homers and 14 RBIs in 10 games at SWB when he was promoted after Greg Bird went on the 10-day IL. Ford was told Wednesday he would start against right-hander Homer Bailey.
Gary Sanchez is eligible to come off the 10-day IL on Sunday, but the Yankees are unsure if that will happen. Sanchez joined Troy Tulowitzki and Miguel Andujar for early batting practice Thursday.
Sanchez has been out with a strained left calf since April 10 when he pinch hit against the Astros. The Yankees might want to wait until Monday to see how Sanchez’s calf responds to Sunday’s cross-country flight to Anaheim.
Troy Tulowitzki hit on the field Thursday for the first time since going on the IL on April 4 with a left calf strain. The shortstop also took ground balls and ran.
“Everything is good,” said Tulowitzki, who will join the Yankees on their nine-game western trip. “A couple of days of that and I will know the plan after that. The most important thing is I feel good. Hope it is not much longer.’’
Luke Voit extended his consecutive game on-base streak to 29 with a first-inning single. …Thursday’s loss marked the first time this season the Yankees didn’t get an extra base hit.
Second baseman DJ LeMahieu was presented with the Wilson defensive player of the year award for the 2018 season before the game. LeMahieu played second base for the Rockies last year.
According to Aaron Boone, Didi Gregorius is throwing from up to 120 feet in Tampa while working back from Tommy John surgery.
“He has been doing real well, it has gone as planned,’’ Boone said.
