Slumping Granderson hits a single, double in first two at-bats Wednesday
Curtis Granderson gestures to the Yankees' dugout between innings late in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium. (May 18, 2013) Credit: Getty
BALTIMORE -- Curtis Granderson ended his hitless stretch at 12 at-bats last night, smacking a single, double and home run in his first three plate appearances.
It was the exception for how things have gone for the outfielder since he returned May 14 from a broken right forearm.
But, Granderson said before the game, one in which he played center, it's no different than if he had a slow first week of the season. Which, of course, this technically has been for him.
"It's just like an opening week of the season. I had an Opening Day [May 14]," Granderson said. "I've played six games up to this point. There's no point in getting too high or too low regardless of what has happened to this point."
The first six games have been mostly low. Granderson entered last night hitting .174 (.208 OBP) with no homers or RBIs.
"There really isn't anything," Granderson said of what specifically he's been working on with hitting coach Kevin Long. "It's just a matter of just getting back and comfortable and getting timing right and getting into a rhythm and going from there.
"It's just kind of one of those baseball things, you can't really pinpoint it exactly, it's just going to end up happening one day, could be one swing, could be one at-bat, could be one day."
Granderson started in center and, as Joe Girardi promised two weeks ago, has played all three outfield positions in the last week.
"Defensively doesn't matter to me," Granderson said. "I've played all three outfield positions before, it's just a matter of when and where."
Pressed, however, Granderson said he "definitely" considers himself a centerfielder, which he's been the vast majority of his career.
But, he was quick to add: "I also think of myself as a baseball player. So wherever that happens to be, any one of the nine positions, I'd love to try them all out."
Stewart targets tomorrowChris Stewart, who has missed the last five games with a groin injury, hopes to return to the lineup Friday in St. Petersburg, Fla. against the Rays.
"I feel good right now," Stewart said before Wednesday night's game.
Stewart took full BP Wednesday and will work out at the team's complex in Tampa Thursday.
Austin Romine started a fifth straight game in Stewart's place.
Tuesday he became the first Yankees rookie to start four straight games behind the plate since Jorge Posada started 11 in a row from Sept. 5-16, 1997.
Joba throws
Joba Chamberlain (oblique) threw one scoreless inning in an extended spring game Wednesday. He threw 13 pitches, nine strikes, and will have at least one more rehab appearance before being activated.
