Girardi On WFAN: Yankees Players Will Brush Off Steinbrenner's Criticism

NEW YORK (WFAN) -- Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Thursday he doesn't think owner Hal Steinbrenner's criticism of the players a day earlier will have a negative impact in the clubhouse.

Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Steinbrenner backed Girardi and general manager Brian Cashman but blamed the players for the team's poor start.

"They're the best baseball players in the world, and sooner or later it comes down to them, on the inside, to push through whatever it is they're going through and to persevere," Steinbrenner said. " ... Clearly not living up to their potential."

In an interview with WFAN's Mike Francesa, Girardi said Steinbrenner didn't say anything the players haven't already thought themselves.

"I think the guys understand who's struggling and who's not and that we all can do more and that we're not where we want to be," Girardi said. "So I didn't really think it upset the clubhouse. I think they understand how to handle criticism, and if you play in this game long enough, it's going to happen, and you've got to go out and play better."

YANKING EOVALDI
Girardi said his bullpen had everything to do with why he pulled starter Nathan Eovaldi after six innings Wednesday night against Arizona despite that he had retired 18 consecutive batters. The Yankees won the game, 4-2.

"That's why they're (relievers Dellin Betances, Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman) there," Girardi said. "That's not a game that you can lose. E probably could have went out and gave us another inning. But if something does happen, you're going to say, 'Why didn't you go to the big three?' And that's why I did it. ... And they're rested."

TEX'S STRUGGLES
Mark Teixeira is batting just .162 since May 8.

"It's been a real struggle for him, especially left-handed," Girardi said. "And I had concerns when we played all those left-handers in a row what would happen to the switch hitters when they reversed to the other side. I thought when he hit the first ball (Wednesday) night, I thought, OK, he's going to get going, and the young man makes a great catch. But he'll get going. It's just he's really important to our lineup, and we need to get him going."

A-ROD RETURNING SOON?
A strained hamstring has kept Alex Rodriguez out of the lineup since May 3. A-Rod's expected return -- once believed to be late this week -- has been delayed, but Girardi said the slugger is close.

"We're hoping sometime this weekend. I'd be shocked if it wasn't shortly after that," the manager said. "He's going to run again today, try to pick up the intensity, try to get on the bases a little bit, and we'll see where he's at."

The Yankees open a four-game series at Oakland on Thursday night.

To listen to the full interview with Girardi, click on the audio player above.