Yankees Notebook: Aaron Boone unsurprised by Joey Gallo’s success
MINNESOTA — Joey Gallo struggled while playing under Aaron Boone in New York, but the Yankees manager is far from shocked that the slugger has had some success over his first 12 games with the Twins.
Gallo, who missed some time with a right intercostal strain, was slashing .235/.350/.706 with five home runs and 11 RBI entering Monday’s series-opener between the two teams before he hit a solo home run in the fourth inning against his former club. He strictly played the outfield for the Yankees, but the Twins had him at first base and batting seventh at Target Field.
“He’s obviously got a ton of power,” Boone said before the game. “He’s already hit some home runs this year. He’s a guy that typically controls the strike zone. So I don’t think it’s surprising to us necessarily that he’s having some success here.”
Gallo, who signed a one-year, $11 million contract with Minnesota in the offseason, didn’t appear by his locker when the Twins’ clubhouse was open to reporters Monday.
The 29-year-old spent 140 games with the Yankees from 2021-2022. The club acquired him from the Rangers prior to the 2021 trade deadline with the hopes of adding left-handed power and improved outfield defense, but Gallo’s all-or-nothing approach never found the relative balance that made him a two-time All-Star in Texas.
Gallo slashed just .159/.291/.368 with 25 homers, 46 RBI, 77 walks and 194 strikeouts in pinstripes, and he regularly drew the ire of fans. His shortcomings with the Yankees were “well-documented,” as Boone mentioned, and the team flipped him to the Dodgers for pitching prospect Clayton Beeter last August.
Boone said that Gallo’s time in the Bronx was “very tough” on him, but the manager always appreciated how the veteran went about his business.
“I think it absolutely wore on him,” Boone said. “But I respected how he handled it. He never ran from it. Never wanted out of the lineup. As best he could, he faced it and owned it. I know what a tough time it probably was in his life and the challenges he’s faced, but he had my respect in the way that he always continued to fight and compete.”
TRIVINO’S ELBOW TROUBLE
Lou Trivino (elbow ligament strain) is dealing with elbow problems again, according to Boone. He will visit Dr. Christopher Ahmad in New York on Wednesday. Trivino’s elbow didn’t feel right after throwing a live session last week.
Trivino, who originally hurt his elbow in March, recorded a 1.66 ERA over 25 games for the Yankees last season after being acquired from the Athletics.
ENCOURAGING INJURY UPDATES
Boone said Harrison Bader (oblique) will play for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday in the next step of his rehab. Bader is expected to play Wednesday as well, marking the first back-to-back games of his assignment. Boone said the center fielder could DH in one of the games.
Boone ruled out activating Bader for the Yankees’ upcoming series in Texas. The skipper also said it’s unlikely Bader will return for the three-game homestand against Cleveland that follows, as the speedster needs time to build up.
Luis Severino (lat) threw two ups on Monday and came away feeling good, per Boone. He’ll throw another session and increase his pitch count on Friday. The Yankees hope the righty will fall into a five-day rehab routine after that.
Boone also said Tommy Kahnle (bicep tendinitis) could get on the mound by the end of this road trip. The right-hander is traveling with the Yankees and has been throwing at 120 feet.
