Yankees call up Mike Ford to replace retired Jay Bruce

Jay Bruce is out and Mike Ford is in. Bruce abruptly announced his retirement prior to Sunday’s game against the Rays, but remained on the roster for the game. On Tuesday, as the Yankees attempt

Jay Bruce is out and Mike Ford is in.

Bruce abruptly announced his retirement prior to Sunday’s game against the Rays, but remained on the roster for the game. On Tuesday, as the Yankees attempt to turn around what has been a dreadful start to the season, they recalled Ford from the alternate site in Scranton.

It’s not exactly a shakeup — and a shakeup wasn’t expected after general manager Brian Cashman stood by his roster on Monday.

Cashman also backed up manager Aaron Boone following the 5-10 start, which includes a five-game losing streak the Yankees will try to snap Tuesday night against the Braves in The Bronx.

Ford, 28, provides a left-handed bat and suitable play at first base. The Yankees went with Bruce out of spring training hoping to get some power, as he also learned the nuances of playing first base.

Bruce’s defense turned out to be less problematic than his lack of production at the plate, and he likely would have been jettisoned even if he hadn’t retired.

Ford was a solid addition in 2019, when he hit a dozen homers and had an OPS of .909 in 163 plate appearances after being called up from Triple-A.

But the former Princeton standout had an awful season a year ago, going 10-for-74 (.135) with six extra-base hits in 84 plate appearances.

He trimmed down in the offseason, but didn’t impress in spring training, with a double and a homer in 27 Grapefruit League at-bats.

Luke Voit is on the mend from surgery to repair a torn left meniscus and is expected back sometime next month, so the Yankees still need to get a few weeks from a replacement when they don’t want to use DJ LeMahieu at first.

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Dan Martin

Follow us on Google News