Game 122: Joe Mauer, Right Fielder

I usually write a little something about the Yankees here, but forget that, we have to talk about the Twins for a second. Joe Mauer is playing right field tonight. Seriously. He’s never played a position other than catcher and first base (and DH) in his career according to Baseball-Reference, and I’m talking majors and minors. Mauer’s an absurd athlete and I’m sure he’s shagged fly balls in right a bunch of times over the years, but this is still kinda crazy. Furthermore, the Twinkies have no bench. Michael Cuddyer (neck), Denard Span (concussion symptoms), and Matt Tolbert (something) are all banged up, Jason Kubel is away from the team for family reasons, and Luke Hughes missed his flight from Triple-A today (because he was at the wrong gate). So they don’t have anyone to come off the bench, not even in an emergency. I wonder if guys will go into second extra hard. Anyway, here’s Minnesota’s lineup and here’s the Yankees’s lineup…

Derek Jeter, SS
Curtis Granderson, CF
Mark Teixeira, 1B
Robinson Cano, 2B
Nick Swisher, DH
Andruw Jones, RF
Eduardo Nunez, 3B
Francisco Cervelli, C
Brett Gardner, LF

CC Sabathia, SP

I forgot that Minnesota was in the Central Time Zone, so it’s another damned 8pm ET start. That extra hour feels like ten. Tonight’s game is on My9. Enjoy.

Alex Rodriguez Update: A-Rod is with the team, and he did some work with the coaching staff today (batting practice, grounders, etc.) … he hasn’t been activated but is hoping to be sometime this weekend, saying that his first step quickness is still lacking the field and he feels that he could be in better shape. Jack Curry says he won’t play before Saturday at the very least, and it’s the defense and baserunning that’s holding him back, not the hitting.