J.D. Davis wasn’t expected to be a long-term solution to the Yankees’ corner infield problems, with D.J. LeMahieu and Osvaldo Cabrera struggling at third base and Anthony Rizzo out with a broken arm and struggling before the injury.
Still, when the Yankees acquired the 31-year-old in a trade with the Athletics late last month for a designated player to be designated for assignment, they were hoping he could contribute against left-handed pitching and, as Aaron Boone put it, “come in here and give us a little spark.”
Davis’ performance with the Yankees has been disappointing so far, and it’s unclear when that will change with the Yankees scheduled to face three right-handed starting pitchers in their next series against the Rays in Tampa Bay.
Davis has one hit in 13 at-bats and six strikeouts in five games with the Yankees, starting just one game since June 28.
“I still feel like I’m the same guy,” Davis said after Sunday’s loss to the Red Sox. “It’s just a matter of practicing and getting back in shape, but going into 95 games without playing is tough. [mph] And get the timing right.”
The lack of playing time isn’t necessarily surprising for Davis, a right-handed hitter.
“That’s part of the job,” Davis said. “You have to keep preparing, keep honing your skills and show up every day and get better.”
When asked if he thought he’d get more at-bats if he joined the Yankees, Davis said, “I don’t know. I liked the opportunity to play for another team.”
He added that he had noticed a major league-wide shortage of left-handed starting pitchers since he was still with the Giants during spring training before being released by San Francisco.
Additionally, Davis’ struggles since joining the Yankees, along with Ben Rice’s promising first two weeks, could force the Yankees to use the left-hander against lefties as well, further reducing his playing time.
“You have to do what you have to do,” Davis said. “It’s hard, but it’s not insurmountable.”
Last year, in his final season with the Giants, Davis performed slightly better against right-handed pitchers than left-handed ones, but his performance has been about even over the course of his career.
But this year, he hasn’t been good against anyone.
He stole 37 bases in the Yankees’ first 72 games (and was stopped just 12 times), but hasn’t stolen a base since June 14 and is 0-for-4 since then.
They haven’t attempted a stolen base in over a week.
