Isiah Kiner-Falefa showing off versatility, wants to remain with Yankees
The Yankees' Isiah Kiner-Falefa, right, hits a single in the sixth inning of a spring training game against the Tigers on Friday in Lakeland, Fla. Credit: AP/John Raoux
LAKELAND, Fla. — Isiah Kiner-Falefa knows exactly where he stands.
As he competes with talented rookies Oswald Peraza and Anthony Volpe for the starting shortstop job that he held last season, Kiner-Falefa understands better than anyone that his future in pinstripes might not be at short.
And so he eagerly said yes when the idea was floated to him about working at second base, where he started in Friday’s 4-3 victory over the Tigers.
He also agreed earlier in camp to work at third and just as eagerly said yes to what will be coming before the end of camp — pregame work in the outfield, and perhaps even some games there.
Kiner-Falefa has played 311 games at shortstop, 123 at third and 20 at second in his career. He’s even been a catcher in 73 games, but he has yet to play in the outfield.
“If I don’t win the shortstop job, I want to be here,” he said after hitting his first homer and going 2-for-3 on Friday. “I need a role on this team if I’m not playing shortstop. I have an opportunity the next couple of days to put myself in a role.”
Kiner-Falefa, who had a rough first season in pinstripes, later said: “I understand the situation. Those players [Peraza and Volpe] are really good and they can help our team.”
With the Yankees having a glut of infielders, Kiner-Falefa has been the subject of trade rumors, especially as shortstops elsewhere have suffered injuries.
“I just want to be here and I want to win, whether it’s playing shortstop, utility, [whatever],” he said. “It’s an opportunity to win a World Series here, and I want to be a part of it.”
Sevy’s slider
Luis Severino allowed two runs and four hits, including two homers, in four innings Friday in his third start.
Asked what the hitters’ swings are telling him right now about his stuff, Severino laughed.
“That my slider [stinks], that’s what they’re telling me right now,” said Severino, likely to slide into the No. 2 spot in the rotation with the injury to Carlos Rodon. “I need to work more on my slider. It’s not the movement, just the location.”
Although he has allowed nine runs in 8 2⁄3 innings, the Yankees have been encouraged by what they’ve seen from Severino. He is as healthy as he’s been since 2018 and his stuff has drawn mostly praise from rival scouts.
