SARASOTA, Fla. - The locker is in the same spot. Only the number has changed.
Paul Janish arrived too late to keep No. 15, which now belongs to infielder Robert Andino. But he's back in Orioles camp and trying again to earn a utility spot.
The Orioles appeared to move on from Janish, 34, after signing Andino to a minor league deal, creating a possible Triple-A infield that includes Johnny Giavotella and Chris Johnson. But Janish agreed to terms Saturday and flew into Sarasota the following day.
Did Janish reach the point where he thought a deal wouldn't happen?
"Yeah, for sure. But fortunately it did, right?" he said.
"It took a little longer than we hoped or anticipated, but obviously I feel fortunate to be here. It's a comfortable place for me, having been here before. It's a good clubhouse. I'm looking forward to getting back in the swing of things and getting in some games."
Janish has spent parts of the last two seasons with the Orioles, also signing minor league deals on Nov. 20, 2014 and Dec. 29, 2015 after considering an offer from the Astros.
"I guess it's familiar," he said. "Hopefully, things work out and I get to spend some time in the big leagues, right? But being here and having a familiarity with the coaching staff and Buck (Showalter) in particular, that obviously bodes well. So I kind of look at it as a pretty good opportunity over the course of the whole season."
An opportunity that, at one time, didn't seem plausible in 2017.
"I kind of assumed the same thing, and as it turned out that wasn't the case," said Janish, who made nine starts at third base last season and one at shortstop. "Maybe a little bit of a miscommunication for a few days there and I think that's probably what led to taking a week into camp, but anyway, no matter how it transpired or unfolded, I'm excited to be here now.
"Like I said, it will take a few days to get into baseball shape and get into some games."
For the Yankees
Aaron Hicks LF
Austin Romine C
Greg Bird DH
Aaron Judge RF
Rob Refsnyder 1B
Ruben Tejada 2B
Miguel Andujar 3B
Dustin Fowler CF
Jorge Mateo SS
Chad Green RHP