The Yankees' trade this week with the Kansas City Royals for left-handed outfielder Andrew Benintendi signaled the potential end of Joey Gallo's time in the Bronx, and he appears to understand his situation.
Gallo, whom the Yankees acquired a year ago today in a trade with the Texas Rangers, opened up on his future Thursday at Yankee Stadium.
"I feel bad," Gallo said, via The Athletic's Lindsey Adler. "It's something I'm gonna have to really live with for the rest of my life. It's going to be tough. I didn't play well, I didn't live up to expectations. And that’s a tough pill to swallow."
Gallo batted seventh and started in right field for Thursday's 1-0 win over the Royals. The result, an 0-for-3 night with three strikeouts, summed up his season.
Through 81 games, he is slashing .159/.282/.339 with 12 home runs and 24 RBI. Gallo, 28, slashed .160/.303/.404 with 13 home runs and 22 RBI over 58 games as a Yankee in 2021.
"Every time I see a Yankees hat, every time I see a Yankees jersey, it's something I'm going to have to understand," Gallo said, via Adler. "I didn't play well as a Yankee. I wish I had."