Better late than never.
Center fielder Harrison Bader made his New York Yankees debut Tuesday after coming off the injured list.
And the 28-year-old New York native did not disappoint, going 2-for-4 with three RBI in the Yankees’ 9-8 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates at Yankee Stadium.
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The Yankees acquired Bader before the Aug. 2 trade deadline from the St. Louis Cardinals in the deal which shipped out left-hander Jordan Montgomery.
Up until yesterday, the Cardinals were the clear winners in the trade, with Montgomery going 5-2 with a 2.35 ERA in nine starts for St. Louis.
Meanwhile, all the Yankees could do was play the waiting game, with Bader recovering from plantar fasciitis in his right foot.
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With the Gold Glove Award-winning outfielder finally in the Yankees lineup Tuesday, The Athletic’s Jim Bowden made this bold prediction:
The #Cardinals might have won the Bader-Montgomery trade during the regular season but don’t be surprised if the #Yankees win it in the postseason where Bader’s gold glove defense, speed & base running ability will be on full display.
Bader and the Yankees return to action Wednesday when they go for a sweep of their two-game series with the Pirates.
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Mike Rosenstein may be reached at [email protected].