OAKLAND, Calif. — After appearing to avoid a serious injury on Friday night when he was hit on the right big toe by a pitch, Jose Trevino was out of Saturday’s lineup for their 3-2 loss to the A’s in 11 innings, and Aaron Boone indicated the catcher likely would sit on Sunday, as well.
Trevino repeatedly said, “I’m good,” when asked how he was feeling on Saturday after X-rays were negative following Friday’s game.
He was drilled by a 94 mph fastball and initially remained in the game for the bottom of the eighth inning before being replaced by Kyle Higashioka.
Boone called Trevino’s situation “day-to-day.”
“We feel fortunate we dodged something serious,’’ Boone said.
The injury reinforced how much the Yankees have come to rely on Trevino, who was acquired near the end of spring training from Texas in exchange for Albert Abreu and minor league left-hander Robby Ahlstrom.
Initially, Trevino was part of a platoon with Higashioka and both backstops struggled at the plate early in the season.
Ben Rortvedt, also acquired in a trade during the spring, was expected to be part of the catching mix, as well, as both he and Trevino had minor league options.
But Rortvedt was sidelined by an oblique injury then knee surgery.
Boone said at the time, Trevino could “really catch” and would be a valuable piece, especially while Rortvedt was out. Since then, Trevino played well enough that he gradually earned more playing time and became an All-Star. Now, he’s clearly the starting catcher.
Through Friday’s game, Trevino had started 17 games in August, compared to six for Higashioka. And after a rough stretch at the end of July, Trevino has produced offensively again throughout August, hitting .314 (22-for-70) with three doubles, three homers and an OPS of .828.
Higashioka took over in the bottom of the ninth on Friday and finished the game, but had started just six games this month.
He has been better at the plate, as well, despite the limited playing time. In his past eight games — including those six starts — he was 5-for-18 with a pair of homers.
Boone indicated Isiah Kiner-Falefa would be used in an emergency. Kiner-Falefa started 66 games at catcher for the Rangers in 2018 and 2019, but has not played there since.
Boone said he was unsure if Nestor Cortes (strained groin) would be back as soon as he’s eligible to come off the IL.
“It depends when he’s back on the mound [throwing],’’ Boone said. “I don’t know if that will be in Anaheim or Tampa [Bay]. He’s doing well.”
Clarke Schmidt will take Cortes’ spot in the rotation for now.
Giancarlo Stanton wasn’t in the lineup Saturday. He served as the DH on Thursday and Friday after coming back from left Achilles tendinitis. Boone said Stanton is not expected to return to the outfield on this trip, especially with the final series coming at Tampa Bay, with the unforgiving turf at Tropicana Field.