The New York Yankees are in the midst of a desperate bid to stay relevant in the playoff race. As of this writing, they rank last on the AL-East table with 59-56 and six games below the third-place wildcard spot. As the team navigates the challenges of a competitive MLB season, decisions regarding roster spots become increasingly significant. With a deep pool of talent and the need to maintain a well-balanced team, there are a few players who could potentially find themselves standing at the exit door in the near future. Here are three possible Yankee players who might have a roster spot by next month.
1. Ben Rortvedt
The New York Yankees lost catcher Jose Trevino to a season-ending wrist injury, which led to the promotion of Ben Rortvedt. While his backstopping skills are undoubtedly elite, offensively, he seems more like a liability. This season, his batting average is as low as .107. With this kind of slash line, he won’t be able to retain his roster spot for long. Hence, as the season progressed, we could see the Yanks designating Ben for assignment. Moreover, the club could call up no. 2 prospect Austin Wells from Triple-A. Wells had a short burst of explosion on the plate shortly after returning from injury. While Austin is not necessarily a magic bullet, the catcher seems a better option than Ben Rortvedt.
2. Greg Allen
Outfielder Greg Allen came in as a replacement for DFA’d veteran Aaron Hicks. However, his form this season has been limited to a .158 batting average. Injuries and inconsistency have played their role in Allen’s subpar performance on the plate. Hence, we could see the outfielder getting DFA’d in the near future to make roster space for prospect Everson Pereira. He is swaying the minor league currently with a slash line of 330/.375/.553 in 25 games. Moreover, the club sees their future left fielder in Everson. Hence, they might choose to promote him if and when they fall out of the playoff race. All things considered, Greg Allen’s time in the Bronx is limited, and in some or the other way, he would most probably be shown the exit doors.
3. Carlos Rodon
Unlike Ben Rortvedt and Greg Allen, pitcher Carlos Rodon‘s situation is health-related. The starter recently landed on 15-day IL due to a low-grade hamstring strain. He felt tightness in the hamstring muscle on Sunday, after which he chose to exit the game. While the pitcher’s condition is not as bad, the Yankees might opt for a cautious approach and keep him away from the action until September. In his absence, the Bronx Bombers could promote Randy Vazquez into the rotation.
All things considered, roster decisions are never easy, and they often involve a combination of player performance, team needs, and long-term planning. The Yankees’ management and coaching staff will carefully evaluate the contributions of these players while considering how they fit into the team’s overall strategy. Ultimately, the Yankees’ goal is to field the strongest possible roster to contend for championships. While some players may face uncertainty in terms of their roster spots, their fate is ultimately in their own hands.
