Andrew Benintendi’s arrival in The Bronx on Thursday has further clouded Joey Gallo’s status as a Yankee.
Gallo was back in the lineup on Thursday for the first time since Sunday, playing right field, but his season didn’t get any better. He went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts, though the Yankees won 1-0 over the Royals, and his days in pinstripes could be numbered ahead of the trade deadline Tuesday.
“Yeah, I mean, honestly I’m not really thinking about it too much,” Gallo said Thursday before hearing louder boos with each strikeout from the crowd of 43,836. “I’m just trying to focus on today and what role I’m playing today.
“If they pull me in the office and tell me I’m going somewhere else, then that’s where I go. But until then, I’m a Yankee right now. I’m just going to keep playing as hard as I can and help the team win any way I can in whatever role.”
What that role will look like is uncertain, with Benintendi acquired to be the Yankees’ left fielder. Manager Aaron Boone on Thursday started Aaron Hicks in center and Gallo in right while getting Aaron Judge a day at DH. But Judge is expected to get more of his starts in right field, Boone said, leaving Gallo as the odd man out.
Gallo, who is hitting .159 with a .621 OPS and 106 strikeouts in 273 plate appearances, said he was not surprised the Yankees got Benintendi.
“It’s important to look out for the team,” Gallo said. “He’s a great player, Benintendi. Just playing against him, I admire the way he plays.… It’s always great to have good players and good guys come into the clubhouse. It’s part of the business and part of how things go when you’re trying to win a World Series. So I understand it and excited to have him aboard.”
