New York Yankees: Winners and losers from the first week of May
By Sean Dyer
![NEW YORK, NY - MAY 06: Gleyber Torres #25 of the New York Yankees celebrates his ninth inning game winning three run home run against the Cleveland Indians with his teammates at Yankee Stadium on May 6, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) NEW YORK, NY - MAY 06: Gleyber Torres #25 of the New York Yankees celebrates his ninth inning game winning three run home run against the Cleveland Indians with his teammates at Yankee Stadium on May 6, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/92c519b989529a95bad2e6e2494160af9f5aa01d3a45a96f266649be736792e9.jpg)
Winner: Neil Walker
The reason Brandon Drury and/or Tyler Austin could be in trouble is the recent hot play of Neil Walker. Once seemingly destined to be designated for assignment, Walker may have saved his roster spot this week. He should at least hold on to it through Drury’s eventual return (no promises once Greg Bird comes back).
Perhaps Walker was just using the months of March and April as his extended spring training after signing with the New York Yankees late in the offseason. The veteran hit just .165/.212/.190 through April 30. However, as the calendar flipped to May, Walker flipped a switch at the plate. During the Yankees’ six-game winning streak, Walker is hitting .364/.611/.455 with six runs and a game-tying RBI-double on Sunday against the Cleveland Indians.
Walker also plays quality defense at first base, which is key as Gleyber Torres has emerged as the everyday second baseman.
One week is certainly a small sample size, but with Drury’s return looming, the hot hand could be the one who keeps his roster spot. Based on the last handful of games, Walker is more deserving of that roster spot than Austin. For that, and for the first time all season, Walker is a winner.