The New York Yankees are in a fix after injuries plagued the camp just a week before the 2024 MLB season’s opening day. Aaron Judge and Gerrit Cole are both dealing with considerable injury scares. While Judge expects to be back by opening day, Cole won’t throw a baseball for 4-5 weeks.
Gerrit Cole has been diagnosed with elbow nerve inflammation, which will keep him out of action for the next 10-12 weeks. Meanwhile, before the New York Yankees could wrap their heads around these two setbacks, another veteran infielder is now doubtful for opening day after getting hit on the foot during the spring game.
DJ LeMahieu Doubtful For Opening Day, Josh Harrison Touted As Reinforcement Candidate!
The New York Yankees could lose DJ LeMahieu to a foot injury ahead of the 2024 MLB season opening day. The veteran infielder got hit on the foot by a foul ball and has been sidelined ever since. While the X-ray scans came out negative, LeMahieu reported significant soreness. Moreover, skipper Aaron Boone indicated that while he expects DJ to be fit for opening day, nothing is guaranteed. Having said that, in the aftermath of LeMahieu’s injury, 36-year-old infielder Josh Harrison’s name has been floated as a probable replacement candidate. Josh Harrison, a veteran infielder with over a decade of MLB experience, has established himself as a reliable and versatile player capable of contributing in multiple roles.
Josh Harrison’s ability to play multiple infield positions, including second base, third base, and shortstop, adds another layer of versatility to the Yankees’ roster. This flexibility would allow manager Aaron Boone to deploy Harrison strategically based on matchups, defensive needs, and roster considerations, maximizing the team’s defensive prowess and lineup options throughout the season. In addition to his defensive capabilities, Harrison also brings a solid offensive skill set to the table. Furthermore, Harrison’s veteran presence and postseason experience could prove invaluable to the Yanks as they seek to contend for a championship title. While the potential acquisition of Josh Harrison is still in the realm of speculation at this point, he remains an ideal short-term replacement candidate for the Bronx Bombers.
Yankees Miss Out On Blake Snell After Stalled Negotiations
The unnecessarily dragged free agency sweepstakes of Blake Snell finally reached its conclusion as the pitcher agreed to a two-year $62 million deal with San Francisco Giants. The deal includes an exit clause after the first year i.e 2024 season. Notably, the New York Yankees were heavily invested in Snell until the two-time CY Young pitcher raised his ask to $270 million.
Understandably, the New York Yankees leadership rejected the offer. However, after Gerrit Cole’s injury, the Bronx Bombers were expected to re-enter the sweepstakes. But to fans’ dismay, the front office passed on that opportunity before Snell agreed to move to San Francisco. With that, the Bombers have missed out on a key reinforcement option to fill up the rotational space vacated by ace starting pitcher Gerrit Cole.
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