x
Breaking News
More () »

Davis joins Yanks in Colorado; Girardi says he'll see action

DENVER (AP) — Ike Davis is feeling healthy again and ready to resume his career with the New York Yankees.

Davis joined the Yankees in Colorado for the start of a two-game series against the Rockies. The first baseman wasn't in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game, but manager Joe Girardi says he's going to get plenty of action.

DENVER (AP) — Ike Davis is feeling healthy again and ready to resume his career with the New York Yankees.

Davis joined the Yankees in Colorado for the start of a two-game series against the Rockies. The first baseman wasn't in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game, but manager Joe Girardi says he's going to get plenty of action.

Davis' arrival was necessary after four first basemen were lost to injuries. Mark Teixeira, Greg Bird, Dustin Ackley and Chris Parmelee are all on the disabled list.

Rookie Rob Refsnyder, a right-handed bat, has been starting at first recently and is in the lineup against left-hander Jorge De La Rosa on Tuesday. Girardi said the left-handed-hitting Davis will play Wednesday.

"We're going to play him against right-handers and we'll go from there," Girardi said. "I'll probably use him like the other first basemen."

Davis had left hip surgery last August and endured a long rehab process. He signed with the Texas Rangers in spring training and had been playing for Triple-A Round Rock. He was released from his minor league contract on Sunday and signed with New York on Monday.

This is Davis' second stint with a New York team. He played four years for the Mets before stops in Pittsburgh and Oakland.

The Yankees expressed interest in signing Davis in the offseason, but he decided to go to Texas in part because the Rangers' spring training facility is in Arizona.

"I didn't know how I was going to be and I didn't want to go to New York or Florida and not really know how my hip was going to go," Davis said. "It made sense to stay in Arizona where I was rehabbing. I could have flown out (to New York) and it couldn't have worked out."

He said the Yankees would have been a good fit for him if he wasn't rehabbing his hip.

"It was the smartest place to sign if I felt like I was healthy to compete for a job," Davis said. "At the time, I didn't feel like I could compete for a job and put a good foot forward. The way I was in spring training and the way I started out in Round Rock, I wasn't moving very well. I didn't want to have a bad start. I wanted to stay there and play and see what happens. After a month, I felt like I could play again."

Davis said his hip had bothered him for years, but he put off surgery. When the pain began to affect his ability to walk, he decided to have the operation in Vail by Dr. Marc Philippon to repair multiple issues, including a torn labrum.

"My hip is better than it has been the last two years, and every week it's gotten better," he said.

Before You Leave, Check This Out