Yankees farm out Clint Frazier, who was hoping to stick at least as role player

Yankees outfielder Clint Frazier was optioned to Triple-A following Sunday’s game in Kansas City.

KANSAS CITY — Yankees outfielder Clint Frazier having an impressive season debut Saturday night led to a post-game perk.

While Frazier was dressing at his locker, manager Aaron Boone approached and said, “Left field tomorrow.”

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When tomorrow came, there was Sunday morning disappointment.

By then, Boone changed his mind and decided against sitting starting lefty-swinging left fielder Brett Gardner for a second day in a row even though the Kansas City Royals were starting another left-hander.

By day’s end, Frazier’s day became a lot worse, as he was optioned back to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre following the Yankees’ 10-1 victory at Kauffman Stadium.

Frazier’s roster spot likely will be taken by reliever Tommy Kahnle, who is expected to be activated from the disabled list on Monday.

This move isn’t a surprise. In fact, it was expected because his call-up last week all along was meant to be very short-term.

Frazier, of course, badly wanted to stay in the big leagues and play for this loaded Yankees club.

“I think I showed that I sit for a few days, then come off the bench and contribute,” Frazier said Sunday morning. “I can do that. I just want to be here.”

Frazier did do a lot of sitting last week – five days in a row, actually – before going 1 for 2 with two walks and an opposite-field double in the Yankees’ 8-3 win on Saturday night.

Boone was impressed.

“For the week we’ve had with the weather and for him having to sit for a few days and then go up there and the first couple of at-bats completely control the strike zone is a tribute to how much work he’s done and where he’s at as a hitter right now,” Boone said. “So I’m really proud of the at-bats that he was able to string together. I think it says a lot about the progress he’s made as a hitter.”

Before Sunday’s game, Boone was asked if he thought Frazier needed regular at-bats at this stage of his career so that he could continue developing or if keeping him around to help out in a lesser role could be beneficial.

“We’ll always strike that balance depending on our roster,” Boone said. “I think he is a guy that needs to be playing every day, but if there’s enough of a regular at-bat presence here for him, then that’s something that we’ll always consider considering where we are as a club right now and the value we know that he can bring.”

The Yankees made their decision:

Frazier is returning to Triple-A.

Randy Miller may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @RandyJMiller. Find NJ.com on Facebook.