A Look At Who Can Step Up For The Banged Up Yankees
The ace Luis Servino was transferred over last Thursday to the 60 day IL with shoulder inflammation and probably will not be back until at least June. The Yankees have already called up Domingo German and Jonthan Loagisia and both have pitched pretty well. German took a no hitter into the 5th inning a couple weeks ago against The Orioles, he is 4 and 1 and third in the AL with a 1.75 ERA. A Pitcher in Triple A right now who could get a call up if there is any more injuries, is Chance Adams, who has 1 career start with the Yankees and is one of the Yankees top pitching prospects. In the bullpen, Dellin Betances suffered a setback while throwing last week, so he will be shut down for another couple weeks. Going back to the starters, Jordan Montgomery who had Tommy John surgery last year, is hoping to be back in August. Gio Gonzalez opted out of his minor league contract with New York. Everyone was worried about the Yankees pitching staff, but they have looked really good early on this season and they no not have their ace Luis Servino, and they have one of the lowest ERA’s in the league.
In the infield, Troy Tulowitzki is out with a calf injury, but he will start playing in rehab games in a couple of days. Miguel Andujar is also out with a shoulder injury, but he is scheduled to play in extended spring training games in the next few days. Didi Gorgeous is out until at least July with Tommy John surgery, he has started to swing a bat and says he feels good, which is a great sign for his return, hopefully in July. First baseman Greg Bird has a plantar fascia tear, and they are hoping he will be back sometime in late May. One of the replacements is Tyler Wade, who has been ok batting .242. Gio Urshela was called up last week and went 2 for 5 with an RBI in his first game. He has played with Cleveland and Toronto the last couple years. The Yankees have also called up Thairo Estrada, who has only had 4 at bats so far, but he is the Yankees number nineteen overall prospect in the minor organization. Mike Ford has also been called up to provide infield depth, he went undrafted and was a Yankee fan growing living in New Jersey, but is only 3 for 20 so far. New York has also signed veteran Cliff Pennington, who has been in the big leagues since 2008, but do not expect him to be on the Yankees roster unless they absolutely need him. He signed a minor league contract and is not on the Yankees 40 man roster right now. While some fans are complaining about the Yankees not signing Manny Machado, just relax, they have depth and this team is doing fine right now.
In the outfield, slugger Giancarlo Stanton is out with a bicep strain and a suffered a setback while swinging a bat, and he injured his shoulder. Slugger Aaron Judge while be out for a while with a significant oblique strain and fellow OF Aaron Hicks is throwing now and will face live pitching any day now. Do you remember Jacoby Ellsbury, who has not played since 201, and is dealing with a sore back right now and an oblique strain. The man who stepped up is Clint Frazier, who is finally getting his shot. Now Frazier is out with an ankle injury. Through the first month, Frazier has arguably been their best hitter with 6 home runs 17 RBI’s and is batting .324. When someone comes back in the Yankees have to send somebody down and Frazier is making a strong case to keep his spot with the team. New York also got Matt Tauchman in a trade from Colorado but he has struggled so far this year. The Yankees did trade for veteran Cameron Maybin from The Cleveland Indians, and while he will add depth, do not expect him to come in and be the answer. New York’s number one overall prospect Estevan Florial will will not get a chance at the big league level after going down in spring training after fracturing his wrist crashing into the wall. The outfield will be fine when everyone comes back, just like the rest of this team.
