TAMPA — As of Thursday afternoon, Jay Bruce was in Yankees purgatory.
The Yankees had until that day to add him to their big-league roster and pay him $1.5 million for 2021. Manager Aaron Boone said the team has 48 hours to decide whether it will keep the 33-year-old slugger who’s seventh among active career home run leaders with 318 — if he triggers his opt-out clause, which is expected.
Though Bruce was on the Yankees’ stay-back workout schedule at George M. Steinbrenner Field as the team headed to Clearwater to face the Phillies at night, Bruce won’t actually participate in workouts, Boone said.
“I think he’s going to stay away until we make a decision,” the manager told reporters.
Introducing Yankees Insider: Get exclusive news, behind-the-scenes observations and the ability to text message directly with beat writers
The Yankees’ brass had a phone call to discuss roster options Thursday morning in which the club was “trying to get different points of view and (have) everyone weigh in on different things before we make a final decision,” the manager said.
The Yankees were considering Bruce as a potential backup at first base and in both corner outfield spots. He started off spring training strong at the plate but doesn’t have a hit since March 12. He’s hitting .194 with two homers, three RBI and a .662 OPS in 31 at-bats.
“Been really good,” Boone said of Bruce. “One of the things I wanted to do was get him a lot of work at first base and see what that looks like. I don’t want to say pleasantly surprised, because I know he’s done that before and he’s kind of looked the part. He’s certainly looked the part over there. He moves naturally at first base. We know what he can do in the corner outfields. He’s healthy. I feel like his swing’s in a pretty good place. He’s impacted a number of balls for us. He’s shown I think everything we could have hoped for when we brought him in.”
The Yankees have also been talking to teams about potentially trading outfielder Mike Tauchman, who has been competing with Bruce for the team’s final bench spot. A person familiar with the team’s personnel thinking believes the club would choose Tauchman over Bruce if Bruce opts out.
Get Yankees text messages: Cut through the clutter of social media and text during games with beat writers and columnists. Plus, exclusive news and analysis every day. Sign up now.
Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust.
Brendan Kuty may be reached at bkuty@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here.