Not too long ago, when the Yankees were teetering around the .500 mark, veteran infielder Neil Walker resembled an expendable piece on a young and crowded roster. Not too long ago, fans were calling for Walker to be designated for assignment.
But the 32-year-old wasn’t really given a fair shake in April. As a free agent who signed a one-year, $4 million in mid March, his spring training was brief and rushed, so it came as no surprise to see Walker struggle at the plate during the first few weeks of the season.
The Yankees’ front office understood this, and while touted rookies Miguel Andujar and Gleyber Torres burst onto the scene as the franchise’s future infielders, New York kept its leash long for Walker.