Zoilo earning playing time; Gardner doesn't start

NEW YORK -- After a torrid start to his Major League career, Zoilo Almonte looks like he has played his way into being the Yankees' everyday left fielder.

The rookie went 3-for-4 with a home run in his first career start for the Yankees last Friday, and he's started every game since.

"We're running Z out there. He's played pretty well, and we'll continue to do that, continue to watch how he's doing," manager Joe Girardi said. "But he's done pretty well."

Almonte -- who is hitting .368 with one home run and four RBIs in 19 at-bats -- has essentially replaced Vernon Wells in the lineup. Wells was batting fourth in the Yankees' lineup Thursday against the Rangers, marking the first time he's started a game since June 20.

Wells batted .300 in April, but has struggled since then, batting just .186 since May 1. He has eight hits in 63 at-bats in June.

"I think he's dealt with it very professionally," Girardi said. "He's been ready to play every day. He's ready to pinch-hit, and he's worked very hard."

The veteran was back in the lineup Thursday in place of regular center fielder Brett Gardner, who was simply getting a day off. Girardi said Wells would have started against Texas left-hander Derek Holland "no matter what" though.

Girardi also said Gardner was dealing with a head cold, but the day off was more for rest. Gardner pinch-hit for Austin Romine in the ninth, striking out but keeping his streak of appearing in all 78 games for the Yankees this season alive.