Andrew Benintendi’s arrival in The Bronx on Thursday further clouded Joey Gallo’s status as a Yankee.
And while Gallo was back in the lineup on Thursday for the first time since Sunday, playing right field, his days in pinstripes could be numbered ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline.
“Yeah, I mean, honestly I’m not really thinking about it too much,” Gallo said Thursday when asked if he expected to still be with the team past the deadline. “I’m just trying to focus on today and what role I’m playing today.”
What that role looks like is uncertain, with Benintendi acquired to be the Yankees’ left fielder. Manager Aaron Boone on Thursday started Aaron Hicks in center and Gallo in right while getting Aaron Judge a day at DH. But Judge is expected to get more of his starts in right field moving forward.
“[Gallo] is in right field today and expect him to hopefully go out and be productive for us,” Boone said when asked about Gallo’s role.
Gallo, who entered Thursday hitting .161 with a .629 OPS and 103 strikeouts in 270 plate appearances, said he was not surprised by the trade and that he was excited to have Benitendi on board.
“It’s important to look out for the team,” Gallo said. “He’s a great player, Benitendi. Just playing against him, I admire the way he plays. It’s always great to have good players and good guys come into the clubhouse. It’s part of the business and part of how things go when you’re trying to win a World Series. So I understand it and excited to have him aboard.
“Whatever the impact may be moving forward for other guys, it doesn’t really matter right now. Whenever that happens, that’s when we’ll focus on that. Until then, just focus on playing the game and winning.”
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