Yankees Notebook: Tyler Wade optioned to alternate site to make room for Rougned Odor

TAMPA — The Yankees shook up their infield Saturday. Rougned Odor, who the team acquired in a trade on Tuesday, was activated and the Bombers optioned Tyler Wade to the alternate training site.

Aaron Boone said the Odor will be “part of the infield mix” and likely be in the lineup a “couple days a week.”

“Whenever one of those guys has a day off,” Boone said of his starting infielders, “Rougned will be the guy that that plugs in for them.”

With Wade being optioned, Gio Urshela becomes the backup shortstop moving forward and the Yankees manager said he will possibly see a few starts there. That is a configuration they toyed with this spring, giving Urshela one start there.

“At some point I’ll give Gleyber a day off,” Boone said, “he obviously (Torres has) played every game so far, but there’ll be a game where I’ll give him a day and I’ll plan on having Gio at short on those days.”

Urshela has played 13 games at shortstop in the big leagues. He played eight with the Blue Jays in 2018 and five with Cleveland in 2017.

“It is good. It was normal, I can play there whenever they need me to,” Urshela said.

In 2020, Odor hit .167 with four doubles, 10 home runs and 30 RBI in 38 games with the Rangers. He has hit .237 with 146 doubles, 26 triples, 146 homers and 458 RBI in 858 games over parts of seven Major League seasons, all with the Rangers.

Odor, who played 13 of 15 games this spring at third base, was designated for assignment by the Rangers before Opening Day.

Wade expressed to the media that he was upset in 2019 when he was sent down, but Boone said this time the conversation went well.

“We spoke about it for about five to 10 minutes and I just wanted to make sure I reiterated to him that I still think he’s gonna play a big, big role on this team this year moving forward,” Boone said. “That hasn’t changed because of the circumstances right now, and just the importance that he takes this time to take advantage in making sure he’s staying on top of his game and continuing to make improvements.

“I think back to Clint Frazier last year and (when we) sent him down and look at Clint and the way he handled it, and the way he got himself into position to earn another opportunity and was ready for that opportunity, and obviously played a big role for us last year,” Boone said. “Although they’re different players. I still feel like Tyler has a chance to really impact our club in a big way this year and it’s important that he take this time to make sure he’s staying on top of this game the best he can.”

Wade, a backup infielder who can play in the outfield in an emergency, is a career .191/.275/.301 hitter in parts of five seasons in the big leagues.

FRAZIER SITS

Brett Gardner got the start in left field Saturday, his third start of season, to give the struggling Clint Frazier his first day off. The young left fielder has gone hitless in his last three games and has six strikeouts in his last 13 at-bats.

Boone reiterated that Frazier is still his starting left fielder, a title the Yankees bestowed on him this winter. The manager does not think Frazier’s struggles are him trying to prove he deserves the job.

“I think he’s had a few games where you struggle where he’s just been a little bit off, whether it’s timing seeing the ball, pulling the trigger or things like that,” Boone said. “I mean that’s part of the ebbs and flows of a season for even the best of hitters and a few of our guys have gotten off to a slow start.

But Boone added that he’s not concerned about Frazier’s slow start.

“Clint is very equipped to be successful when he walks up to the plate,” Boone said.

In a much smaller sample size, the veteran Gardner has come out of the gate strong. In five appearances, he is 4-for-10 with a double. He has three strikeouts and two walks.

Boone said he is confident with either in his lineup.

“Frankly, I feel like they’re both really good players. Obviously at different points in their career. Gardy’s a veteran player that’s still a very good player, and elite defender,” Boone said. “Clint’s a guy that’s really started to come into his own over the last couple of years and feel like has a chance to be an impact player in this league for years to come.

“I guess depending on certain days, maybe in the matchup, I feel like we’re a really good team with both those guys in our lineup.”