Yankees Notebook: Rob Thomson returns to the Bronx

Rob Thomson thought the chance to manage had passed him by when the Yankees hired Aaron Boone in 2017.

Thomson spent nearly three decades with the organization, most recently as bench coach from 2015-2017. The loyal pinstriper interviewed to succeed Joe Girardi, but the Yankees plucked the inexperienced Boone out of the broadcast booth instead.

Having already interviewed for a few managerial openings at that point, Thomson figured he would never get another shot in the majors. So he stopped thinking about it and became the Phillies’ bench coach — first under Gabe Kapler, and then under Girardi.

But when the Phillies fired Girardi last season, they turned to Thomson, who led them to the World Series. Philadelphia lost to the Astros, but the franchise rewarded Thomson with a two-year contract and removed his interim tag prior to the Fall Classic.

“When I went to the Phillies, I sort of shut down the idea of managing,” Thomson said Monday, when he visited Yankee Stadium for the first time as a skipper. “Just wanted to finish doing my job as a bench coach and try to be the best bench coach I can be. Then all the stuff happened last year. Really came as a surprise.”

Thomson didn’t express any resentment toward the Yankees Monday, the start of a three-game series between the Bombers and the Phils. Rather, he briefly reflected on his time in New York, and cited the final out of the 2009 World Series — in which the Yankees beat the Phillies — as his favorite moment with the team.

“It’s always good to come back to New York,” Thomson said. “A lot of history here, a lot of great times, playoff games, World Series games. I don’t know if it’s any different as manager or coach. I just kind of feel the same. But it’s good to come back.”

HICKS FINALLY STARTS

Aaron Hicks made his first start of the season Monday night after telling The Athletic’s Brendan Kuty that he had “no idea” what his role is over the weekend.

The left fielder had received just one at-bat prior to the start, and Boone admitted that the veteran had expressed “a little bit” of frustration during conversations between the two.

Boone said that he liked the way Hicks ended spring training and that he tries to communicate lineups ahead of time. But the manager also noted that there are only so many opportunities to go around.

“That’s how our roster is set up right now, where there is that competition for at-bats,” Boone said. “He’s gonna play. I planned on playing him today and probably [Tuesday], too.”

INTRODUCING THE SLAMBIO

Ian Hamilton joined the Yankees’ roster Monday after a standout spring training. The right-handed reliever didn’t allow a run over nine exhibition innings, thanks in part to a slider-circle change hybrid that he throws.

Boone, in a moment that required some explanation, called the pitch a “slambio.” The moniker stems from the Spanish word for “change,” which is “cambiar.”

“It kind of acts a little bit like a slider and a changeup,” Boone said. “So it’s just unique action and movement. It’s a unique pitch, and usually, unique pitches are, a lot of times, good pitches, ones that people don’t see very often.”

WHEN WILL BRITO BE BACK

Jhony Brito shined in his major league debut Sunday, throwing five scoreless innings against the Giants. He was rewarded afterward with the Yankees’ Player of the Game belt — and a demotion to Triple-A.

This move was made for logistical reasons, not because Brito did anything wrong. The Yankees simply don’t need a fifth starter right now with the way the schedule looks, but Boone said Brito could return April 12.

“He’s making opportunities for himself and putting himself more and more into the mix every time he goes out there,” Boone said, adding that Brito’s poise and stuff have been impressive.

BADER LETS IT RIP

Harrison Bader took approximately 25 dry swings on Monday, a step in the right direction as he recovers from an oblique injury.

“He said the last half dozen or so he was letting it rip and felt great,” Boone said. The manager added that the center fielder also sprinted on Sunday.

CORDERO CORNERED

New Yankee Franchy Cordero has played every outfield position throughout his career, but Boone would prefer to keep him out of center.

Boone, who praised Cordero’s “huge power” said that the 28-year-old will mostly play the corner outfielder spots, in addition to some first base.