Yankees make bold Ryan McMahon decision that affects Amed Rosario against Athletics
Yankees make bold Ryan McMahon decision that affects Amed Rosario against Athletics originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
Amed Rosario started in Ryan McMahon's place at third base last night, even though the New York Yankees faced a right-handed starter in Aaron Civale of the Athletics .
Yankees manager Aaron Boone clarified that Civale has reverse splits, and the move ended up paying dividends. Rosario clobbered two home runs, including a go-ahead three-run homer in the bottom of the eighth to propel the Yankees to a 5-3 win in the series opener.
“Not necessarily. There are certain matchups I like him in,” Boone told MLB.com's Bill Ladson about the possibility of Rosario facing more right-handed pitching. “There are a number of lefties coming up, so competition is always a good thing.”
Usually, Rosario only starts or makes pinch-hit appearances against lefties. Today, Boone is trying something new. Rosario is in the lineup again, but so is McMahon.
For the first time in his 10-year career, McMahon will play shortstop . The left-handed hitter will bat ninth, one place down in the order from Rosario. At the plate, McMahon has just two hits in his last 23 at-bats.
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McMahon is a Gold Glove-caliber third baseman, but even shifting over 20 feet to his left is a new dynamic he's never experienced in a Major League game.
If Rosario continues to show an improved approach against right-handers, this is a lineup Boone may consider using more until Anthony Volpe returns from the injured list. Jose Caballero will start tonight's game on the bench.
