ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Yankees exchanged infielder Thairo Estrada to the Giants for monetary reasons. Estrada was tasked to make way for Rougned Odor on the 40-man roster after his exchange with the Rangers.
Odor made his first start for the Yankees on Sunday and played second base.
The 27-year-old had to shave his signature beard as part of the Yankees’ policy, saying it was “weird.”
Odor said his 3-year-old daughter “doesn’t even want to look at me.”
More important is whether Odor will be able to fill in at third base, where he has never played in a game – although he worked extensively there in the spring.
He said the biggest challenge was the other angle of the throw, forcing him to change his footwork.