Talent overload allows a lefties break for Granderson

That big, green expanse in the Yankees' outfield sure is getting crowded.

With the addition of Austin Kearns and Joe Girardi's decision to keep Curtis Granderson out of the starting lineup last night after yanking him in a big spot in the sixth inning Monday, there are lingering questions as to what to do with the talent overflow.

The answer, at least in the three days since the trade deadline, is for Granderson, who was hitting .214 against lefthanded pitchers before last night's game, to get a break against lefties. But Girardi wasn't willing to necessarily tie himself to that strategy.

"I'm not saying that I'm going to take him out against every lefthander," Girardi said. "What I'm saying here is that if you're going to sit him and give him a day, you're probably going to do it against a lefthander with the addition of Austin Kearns."

Indeed, Kearns has provided Girardi with more pieces to play with - as evidenced Monday when Marcus Thames pinch hit for Granderson against lefty reliever Scott Downs. Granderson, for his part, doesn't seem to mind all that much.

"We were struggling to get baserunners on," he said. "So in that situation, with that runner on, it might be the only opportunity." As for being out of the lineup the next day, "it's just a day off," Granderson said.

Monday, "Swisher played centerfield," he said. "Austin Kearns plays all three positions . . . [Brett Gardner] is going left to center, so it just gives Girardi more opportunity and more options."

But what of the p-word? For a guy like Granderson, who's had a relatively secure starting role all year despite a nearly monthlong stint on the disabled list, a platoon situation in the outfield is a definite step down.

Kearns' arrival does "not necessarily" mean he'll be sharing his starting role on a regular basis, Granderson said. "I think that anyone on this team can come in at any time, start at any time, move around."

The fluidity in the outfield certainly will come in handy this month. The Yankees are in a grueling stretch of 37 games in 38 days and Girardi said the opportunities will be spread out.

"We'll switch it a little bit, but this is why we went out and made some of the acquisitions," he said, adding that Kearns wouldn't be the only beneficiary. "I'm going to do that with [Gardner], too. From time to time, it'll be Gardy against lefthanders. It just gives me more options."

Girardi was quick to point out that Granderson doesn't have to earn his way back to hitting against lefthanders.

"I told him to be ready today," he said. "I'll put him in in a heartbeat."

Options aplenty, but it'll be another adjustment for Granderson, who's unaccustomed to a steady pinch-hitting role.

"It's very difficult," Granderson said. "It's a different role when you go from starting every day to coming off the bench and having to hit, but the guys that do it every day, they get comfortable doing it.

"I've been put into games as early as the fourth inning. It's never truly a full day off."