The New York Yankees catching depth depleted during the recently concluded spring training after constant injury concerns.
Bronx Bombers face major turmoil behind the plate. Ben Rortvedt had to undergo surgery after facing circulation issues on his right shoulder. Moreover, no timeline remains set for his return. As of now, Kyle Higashioka and Jose Trevino remain the only two healthy catchers in the 40-man bullpen. Naturally, the Yankees were forced to look out for options in the free agency.
During this time of the year, when the season has already begun, the options are highly minimal. Most of the teams have set rosters that they plan on keeping for the longest time. Hence, the Yankees took the other route and added a less experienced catcher to the bullpen in case of an emergency. Kyle and Jose will likely hold the fort as long as they can.
Yankees Sign Former Angels Catcher In Minor League Deal
The New York Yankees have made a move to strengthen their catching depth by adding catcher Jose Godoy to their organization. They signed him in a minor league deal. The move was made due to the Yankees’ lack of depth behind the plate, as injuries and inconsistent play have left the team with few options at the catcher position. Godoy, a 27-year-old native of Venezuela, has spent the past several seasons with four different teams, primarily at the Double-A level. He made his major league debut in 2021 with the Mariners. However, post that, he just traveled from one club to another, and his form took a hit.
For the moment, Jose Godoy is likely to stay in the minors and serve as a backup just in case Kyle and Jose miss out for some reason. If any of the two were to go down with an injury or slump, Godoy could step in and provide some much-needed stability behind the plate. In addition to providing depth at catcher, Godoy also adds to the Yankees’ organizational depth overall. The team has been hit hard by injuries this season, particularly in the defense. Adding Godoy gives the Yankees another player who can step in and contribute if needed.
Bronx Bombers Add Much-Needed Pitching Depth
Meanwhile, the New York Yankees made desperate addition to their injury-plagued pitching rotation. The Bombers signed RHP Colten Brewer from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for cash. However, the fans and critics criticized the acquisition as Brewer’s numbers are somewhat mediocre and do not suit the Yankees’ starry lineup.
Most of the fans feel Brewer is not good enough to replace the likes of Carlos Rodon and Luis Severino in the rotation. However, with limited options, the Yankees had to settle with whatever they deemed is in the best interest of the team. The rotation issues can only be resolved if the regulars come out of the injury list as soon as possible. As of this writing, Gerrit Cole and Nestor Cortes remain the only two healthy pitchers in the starting rotation.
