J.D. Davis wasn’t expected to be the long-term fix to the Yankees’ corner-infield issues, where DJ LeMahieu and Oswaldo Cabrera have struggled at third base and Anthony Rizzo is out with a fractured arm and was slumping even before the injury.
Still, when the Yankees traded for the 31-year-old after he was designated for assignment by the A’s late last month, they hoped he would contribute against lefty pitching and as Aaron Boone put it, “come here and give us a little spark.”
So far, Davis’ time with the Yankees has been more of a dud and with the Yankees scheduled to face three right-handed starters in their upcoming series against the Rays at Tampa Bay, it’s unclear when that might change.
In five games with the Yankees, Davis is 1-for-13 with six strikeouts, and he’s started just one game since June 28.
“I still think I’m the player I’ve always been,’’ Davis said after Sunday’s loss to the Red Sox. “It’s just a matter of getting reps, getting back in a groove, but it’s tough when you don’t play and then you try to face 95 [mph] and get your timing down.”
The lack of playing time isn’t necessarily surprising for the righty-swinging Davis.
“It’s part of the gig,” Davis said. “You’ve got to keep staying ready, continue to work on your craft, show up every day and get better.”
Asked if he thought he would get more at-bats when he joined the Yankees, Davis said, “I don’t really know. I liked the opportunity to be on another team.”
He added that even when he was still with the Giants during spring training, prior to San Francisco releasing him, he was aware of the lack of left-handed starters throughout the majors.
And with Davis struggling since becoming a Yankee, coupled with Ben Rice’s promising first two weeks that could force the Yankees to play the left-handed Rice even versus lefties, playing time could evaporate even further.
“You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do,’’ Davis said. “It’s tough, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.”
In his final season with the Giants last year, Davis had slightly better numbers against righties than lefties and his splits have been fairly even throughout his career.
This year, though, he hasn’t been able to get going against anyone.
After stealing 37 bases — and being caught just 12 times — in their first 72 games, the Yankees haven’t swiped a base since June 14 and are 0-for-4 since.
They haven’t attempted a stolen base in more than a week.