12 Vernon Wells, LF

Yankees manager Joe Girardi has been juggling a lineup of four outfielders for three spots since Curtis Granderson came off the disabled list May 14. Girardi expressed Wednesday he would eventually like to settle on a rotation of three outfielders among Granderson, Brett Gardner, Vernon Wells and Ichiro Suzuki, but for now he will continue with the status quo.

"At some point you will probably get to where you will try and put out the same lineup every day," Girardi said. 

Girardi has a simple message for his outfielders.

"Just go out and play, that’s all you can do," Girardi said. "As we have seen there are so many things that can happen in this game that we might need to play all four of them."

Yankees outfielder Vernon Wells has experienced a season of firsts. A few weeks ago he played third base for the first time in his career and Wednesday against the Mariners he played second base for the first time.

Wells started at DH Wednesday, but when manager Joe Girardi needed a pitcher in the ninth inning of Wednesday's 12-2 loss, he turned to infielder Alberto Gonzalez to get the final out, which prompted Wells to come off the bench to play second base.

"We needed one out," Girardi told The Star-Ledger. "It’s not something I want to do. But for me to bring in another pitcher, it doesn’t make a ton of sense there. We’re down 10 runs, with three outs to go. They have a full bullpen, with their closer rested. I just figured, put him at second base."

With the Yankees facing right-hander Felix Hernandez Tuesday night, it would have been easy for Joe Girardi to bench Vernon Wells for left-handed batter Travis Hafner (better numbers vs. starter Felix Hernandez and at Yankee Stadium) in the DH spot. But Wells got the nod instead, batting third, with Hafner reportedly nursing a sore shoulder.

Wells, 34, is hitting .299 with nine home runs and four steals over 36 games. If the season ended today, he would have the third-highest OPS of his career. And with Hafner now nursing an injury, it looks like Wells' owners will have at least a few more days of reprieve from having to guess how the Yankees will find time for both him and Hafner with Curtis Granderson back.

It isn't all coming up roses for Wells, however. In 118 career at-bats as a DH, Wells has a .212 average and .691 OPS. So while he just bought some more playing time, it may come at a position where he traditionally struggles. Still, if Hafner misses significant time, Wells will have plenty of value in an offense that will surely see a rise in production now that Granderson is active. 

A Curtis Granderson return could be just days away, undoubtedly causing a cascade effect on the rest of the Yankees' starting lineup. Perhaps the most uncertain future is that of Vernon Wells.

On Monday’s episode of Fantasy Baseball Today, our Nando Di Fino theorized a scenario where Wells bounces around and even makes a stop at first base. Scott White said Wells’ lacking eligibility might make him a candidate for the most dropped list.

Yankees outfielder Vernon Wells homered for the second-straight game and the third in five games Sunday against the Royals. Wells followed Robinson Cano's two-run homer in the third inning with his ninth homer of the season.

Wells finished 3 for 4 with a run, stolen base and two RBI. He's batting .429 (9 for 21) with seven RBI in his last five games.