Four years ago, Didi Gregorius was sent down to the minors by the Diamondbacks shortly after Opening Day.
And he credits Phil Nevin, the Yankees’ new third-base coach, who was the manager at Triple-A Reno, for helping him turn his career around at perhaps its lowest point.
Gregorius, then 24, was shipped out just days after the beginning of the season when he lost the starting shortstop battle in Arizona with Chris Owings — whom the Diamondbacks considered the better offensive player.
Gregorius said he never got sufficient explanation about being sent down until Nevin talked to him.