BALTIMORE — In a sign that Derek Jeter might not be back anytime soon, the New York Yankees obtained slick-fielding shortstop Brendan Ryan from the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night for a player to be named.
Jeter has been sidelined with soreness in his surgically repaired left ankle. Before the Yankees beat Baltimore 7-5, manager Joe Girardi said the 13-time All-Star is “still in a holding pattern.”
Ryan would not be eligible to play in the postseason for New York because wasn’t on the team by Aug. 31. But for the rest of the month, he can provide a solid glove at shortstop as a starter or defensive replacement as the Yankees chase a wild-card berth.
Eduardo Nunez has been filling in for Jeter. Nunez provides energy on offense, but his defense is suspect.
New York has 17 games remaining to make up a two-game deficit in a crowded AL wild-card scramble that also includes Tampa Bay, Baltimore, Cleveland and Kansas City.
The 31-year-old Ryan appeared in 87 games for the Mariners this season and batted. 192. He lost his starting job this summer to rookie Brad Miller, who is more dangerous at the plate.
Ryan has started only 12 games at shortstop since July 1.
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