The New York Yankees are currently comfortable with the lineup at their helm as the team is stacking up impressive wins on a trot. The Yanks have a tight grip on the second place in the AL-East table. However, with the second phase of the season on the horizon, tough situations await the Bronx Bombers.
The New York Yankees have a couple of injured players coming up in the next month or so. And to accommodate them, the Bombers might have to make some tough changes to the roster. Let’s explore a few changes the front office can consider making to keep everyone happy and healthy at the same time.
Will Yankees Drop Alex Verdugo To Fit In Jasson Dominguez?
The New York Yankees found their left-field solution in Alex Verdugo this year. However, with an outfield depth deal, the return of top prospect Jasson Dominguez will be a bit dicey and impossible. Dominguez is currently under rehabilitation for Tommy John surgery and commenced his rehab assignment with Single-A last week. However, Aaron Boone is mostly unlikely to drop a hot Verdugo from the lineup for minor league. Dominguez is undoubtedly destined for greatness with the kind of talent he possesses. However, he has a whole career lined up ahead of him, and rushing him into the majors won’t make sense. Hence, the Yanks must option Jasson for the minor league before he is ready to come up in September.
On the other hand, the New York Yankees also faced a tough decision with regard to their starting rotation. Gerrit Cole, the ace and reigning AL CY Young pitcher, is on the cusp of return as his bullpen sessions are going as per schedule. Cole could return somewhere around the first of June, meaning a starter will have to sacrifice his place. And due to a lack of major league experience compared to his peers, Luis Gil will likely be the one with a bit of misfortune. Gil has been fairly impressive for a rookie and has exceeded all expectations. However, when Cole returns, perhaps Aaron Boone can move Gil into the bullpen to ensure that he does not miss any time pitching in the majors. By being a relief pitcher, Gil can continue to attain much-needed experience and be ready when his time strikes.
DJ LeMahieu’s Return To Disrupt Infield Composition!
Meanwhile, New York Yankees veteran third baseman DJ LeMahieu is also slated to return in the latter half of the month from a foot injury he sustained in spring training. In DJ’s absence, Oswaldo Cabrera and Jon Berti have been phenomenal at third base whereas Gleyber Torres is massively struggling in the second.
Hence, the base case scenario for New York Yankees is to pencil DJ LeMahieu at third base, Gleyber Torres in second and occasionally rotate them with Oswaldo Cabrera and Jon Berti. This not only ensures that the workload of the injury prone players is maintained but also provides equal opportunities for every deserving candidate on the 40-man roster.
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