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By Brendan Kuty | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Yankees beat reporter Brendan Kuty answers questions from fans on Twitter. Topics include Clint Frazier, Brett Gardner, Gleyber Torres, Greg Bird and more.

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Will they bring up Frazier when he's ready? Do you think he is Gardner's successor in left? — Joseph O'Toole (@JosephOT70) May 6, 2018

I don’t think the Yankees will simply bring up Clint Frazier when he’s ready. Brett Gardner is slumping (.203 BA, 1 HR) but so is Giancarlo Stanton, and nobody is saying Frazier should take Stanton’s spot at designated hitter. Yes, I get it. Gardner is 34 years old. This is what age does. At some point, a player’s production slows. But it’s tough to tell if that’s the case or if it’s just a slump. I think fans love being the first to a decision so they can “I told ya so” later. I’d bet Frazier isn’t taking just going to outright take Gardner’s spot any time soon, though he’s certainly talented and his bat at least big-league ready.

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With this lineup? Phew. Yeah, he won’t hit No. 9 forever. But how does No. 6 sound eventually? Anywhere else, Torres, quickly, could develop into a No. 2 or 3 hitter. But don’t forget that he’s in the same lineup as Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Gary Sanchez, Didi Gregorius and, eventually, Greg Bird. Oh, and Miguel Andujar.

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Assuming Tyler Austin has secured the role of Bird's backup when Greg returns, what happens to Neil Walker and Brandon Drury? — Tom Ittig (@ThomasWIttig3) May 7, 2018

I’m not sure it’s safe to assume Tyler Austin as Greg Bird’s backup. Neil Walker has been playing better as of late and he might be a better defender at first base than Austin, despite having played way less there. I think the Yankees will want to keep Brandon Drury in the minors for as long as possible, if things keep going this way.

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How much longer for Bird? — Don Arangio (@dzyanks55) May 6, 2018

Mid-to-late May was what Greg Bird was targeting. He should start playing in rehab games soon.

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Wouldn’t it make sense for the Yanks to target a veteran sp with postseason experience at the deadline? With the heart of their farm being young arms I don’t think the focus is on the young controllable arms until the offseason. Thinking Hamels type similar to HOU and Verlander — chris caracciolo (@ChrisCaracciolo) May 6, 2018

Yeah, sure. That makes sense. We know the Yankees have targeted Hamels in the past. They wanted veteran Gerrit Cole, who was the Pirates’ ace, in the offseason. Always makes sense to add a veteran arm, right? That said, that doesn’t stop you from also looking at young, controllable arms. Side note: I wonder how much the Yankees might consider just promoting Justus Sheffield and looking to him as the midseason addition the way they did Luis Severino in 2015 instead of trading talent or spending money to add a starting pitcher.

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It’s hard to find problems with the Yanks during this stretch. To nitpick, how patient should we be with Gardner and Hicks? — Bobby Burns (@taboo_baboon) May 6, 2018

Very patient with both of them. I mean, if you had to pick, you’d be more patient with Hicks, just because he’s younger and has less experience in a full-time role and you just don’t have an obvious center field replacement (other than Gardner, of course).

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Sure. Betances definitely has the chance — and the ability. From 2014-2016, Betances had a 1.93 ERA and a 14.3 K/9. And he was pretty good for the early portion of last year. His stuff hasn’t gone backward. His control has. Betances has battled control problems his whole career — part of being 6-foot-7. So, yeah, he can definitely do it.

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Any updates on Adam Warren and Tommy Kahnle and when they might be back? — Ryan McGriff (@rymcgriff) May 6, 2018

Warren (back strain) will start throwing off a mound soon. Kahnle will throw a live bullpen session sometime this week. Maybe both are back just before May 15?

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With wade having struggled in his time in the bigs and Torres and andujar both playing good enough could Dury become that utility guy they want wade to be although with lesser defense — Kyle Johnson (@Kmjohnson559988) May 6, 2018

Eh. Not really. Because Wade plays a solid shortstop. If you’re going to have a true, single utility guy, you want him to be able to fill in behind Didi Gregorius, too. Wade just simply more versatile. He can play the outfield, too.

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Where the heck does Ellsbury fit? Barring any injuries before he gets back, there is nowhere for him. Someone not deserving is going to sent down. — Andrew Fro (@realandrewfro) May 6, 2018

Who knows. That’s going to be ugly when he returns. And that was going to be the case whenever Ellsbury made the team, even if it was out of spring training — he’s the fifth outfielder. Most teams don’t carry that many. They don’t need them. The Yankees don’t need Ellsbury right now. But remember when Hicks, McKinney and Frazier were hurt? A spot could open for Ellsbury.

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With Torres and Andujar playing well and appear to be here to stay.... Where does Drury fit in when he returns? — Jeff C 🔴⚫️🔴 (@JMC9787) May 6, 2018

If Andujar is truly “here to stay,” Drury might have to stay in the minors. It’s a tough break for the guy who was basically given the starting third base job when he showed up, but you don’t mess with a team that’s won 15 of 16 games. That would be tough for Drury to deal with, but he’d understand.

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If German stuggles, who’s next in line? Doesn’t look like any of the kids are ready to go. — Brian (@brian_NYY) May 6, 2018

Welp. German definitely didn’t struggle Sunday. But let’s say he did. My guess would be that David Hale or A.J. Cole would be the first two to get looks in the rotation. Luis Cessa is hurt and Justus Sheffield has just one Triple-A start under his belt. The Yankees probbaly want to see better from Chance Adams before giving him a big-league try.

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Low key the best Yankees photo of 2018 pic.twitter.com/4ZvMwcnztZ — Brendan Kuty (@BrendanKutyNJ) May 7, 2018

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Brendan Kuty | NJ Advance Media

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Brendan Kuty may be reached at bkuty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrendanKutyNJ. Find NJ.com Yankees on Facebook.