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Mike Ford‘s time at the Yankees’ alternate training site was marked by the emergence of a bushy 1980s-style mustache, reminiscent of another lefty-swinging first baseman of that decade. For Don Mattingly, consistency was the name of the game, and that is a quality that Ford continues to work on.
“I feel really great; I feel like I’m back to 2019 Mike,” Ford said. “I struggled last year mentally a lot. It was kind of an opportunity for me to show what I can do, and I didn’t really do that. To be able to be comfortable and confident in myself again, without just saying it and really feeling it, that is a big thing for me moving forward.”
Ford hit his first homer of the season in Sunday’s 7-3 loss to the Indians in Cleveland, slugging back-to-back dingers with Gio Urshela. Ford slashed .259/.350/.559 with 12 homers and 25 RBIs in 50 games during the 2019 season, but was just 10-for-74 (.135) with two homers and 11 RBIs in 29 games last year.
The 28-year-old Ford said that he dropped about 20 pounds in preparation for this season, taking advantage of a more normal winter schedule.
“With the layoff last year, we never really knew when we were going to get back to play and I think some guys struggled with it,” Ford said. “It was tough to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It’s not an excuse at all, but this year I really worked hard in the offseason to set my body up to be ready to go.”
As for the mustache? It is a souvenir from the alternate training site, where several of Ford’s teammates are experimenting with the look, seeking a diversion from their frequent bus rides to play games against Phillies farmhands in Allentown, Pa.
“We did it as a joke in the alternate [training] site,” Ford said. “It was a joke that the first guy up was definitely going to shave it, so I said, ‘You know what? I’m not going to shave it,’ and kept it around for the boys a little bit. I think we’re 4-2 with it, so we’ve got it to keep riding with it and we’ll see where it goes.”
The power of glove
Gleyber Torres‘s defense has improved markedly from what he showed during a shaky first homestand. While infield coach Carlos Mendoza isn’t about to take a victory lap, he is pleased that extra hours with the young shortstop seem to be paying dividends.
“He seems like he’s settling in now and being more steady making the routine plays,” Mendoza said. “We’d like for him to continue to trust the work, continue to trust his preparation in going out there and playing his game — having fun and making sure that he is showing his ability. It goes back to trusting the work and having that aggressive mindset of making plays.”
Mendoza said that he believes Torres was trying to do too much and be “perfect” in the field, disrupting the momentum he built in Spring Training. Mendoza added that Torres has done a better job lately of anticipating plays by being aware of game situations.
“Once we get our lineup from the other team, he’s going over the plus runners, potential stolen bases, guys that are going to be running balls out of the box,” Mendoza said. “As a shortstop, you’re pretty much involved in every play, every pitch — especially if there’s runners on base. Those are the little things that we’re working on.”
New skipper in town
Mendoza has been named as the manager for Cardenales de Lara for the 2021-22 season of the Venezuela Professional Baseball League.
“It’s a dream come true,” Mendoza said. “It’s an honor to be able to put the uniform on back home from a team that I grew up watching.”
Comeback trail
Miguel Andújar (nerve issue in right wrist) was added to the Yankees’ 40-man roster on Sunday and is in the process of joining the alternate training site. Andújar was getting at-bats in games at the player development complex in Tampa, Fla., and will continue to do so once cleared via protocols.
Zack Britton (left elbow surgery) could throw from the Yankee Stadium bullpen mound late this week, manager Aaron Boone said.
Clarke Schmidt (right elbow strain) has completed three to four throwing sessions on flat ground and could soon advance to a mound, Boone said.
Luke Voit (left knee surgery) was scheduled to run outdoors for the first time on Monday at the alternate training site, Boone said. Voit has resumed on-field batting practice and is expected to soon advance to live batting practice, targeting a mid-May return.
This date in Yankees history
April 26, 2005: Alex Rodriguez hit three home runs — all off Bartolo Colon — and tallied 10 RBIs in the Yankees’ 12-4 victory over the Angels. A-Rod became the second Yankee to total 10 or more RBIs in a game; Tony Lazzeri had 11 RBIs on May 24, 1936, at Philadelphia, which still stands as the American League record.