Since the commencement of the 2023 MLB season, not once the New York Yankees have played with a complete lineup. Multiple regulars fell prey to injury, which made it nearly impossible for the team to build a strong and complete lineup. Moreover, as time passed by, the injury issues just aggravated, and fans feared if they would ever get to see the whole lineup perform together in the tournament.
Well, it looks like the fan’s prayers might just get answered over the weekend. The New York Yankees are currently touring the West Coast for a series of away games. After trashing the Mariners in Seattle, the team has jetted off to Los Angeles to face the Dodgers over the weekend. Moreover, the rumors have it that three key injured players, who were rehabbing in the minors, are set to join the team in LA and could be reinstated off IL as well.
Stanton, Donaldson, And Kahnle Off To LA To Join The Yankees Lineup
The good news is coming to the New York Yankees this weekend. As per the latest reports from MLB insider Bryan Hoch, three injured Yankees have left their rehab assignment in the minor league to join the Yankees lineup in Los Angeles. DH Giancarlo Stanton, third baseman Josh Donaldson, and reliever Tommy Kahnle were completing their rehab assignment with the Double-A Somerset Patriots when they boarded the flight to LA. Not only that, team manager, Aaron Boone, has also hinted at the possibility of multiple roster moves over the weekend. The team is set to play a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, and at least two among the three candidates are likely to make a comeback.
Giancarlo Stanton and Josh Donaldson are making a comeback from hamstring injuries. Whereas Tommy Kahnle recovered by bicep entities. Kahnle and Josh played an adequate amount of games in minors, but Stanton featured in just one. Regardless, the team manager remains the least concerned. Aaron Boone said enough technology remains available to create an actual at-bat kind of situation. Hence, he expects Stanton to stay game ready after a few live BPs. Also, the skipper revealed that the team would DH Stanton for the initial weeks to manage his workload. Further sharing plans on Donaldson, Boone said he would return as a regular third baseman, with DJ Lemahieu shifting to a utility role. Overall, the fans will finally witness the whole Yankees lineup stacked together for the first time this season.
Anthony Rizzo Could Return On Friday Against The Dodgers
The Yankees have issued mixed updates on the health of Anthony Rizzo till now. He suffered neck stiffness against the Padres and has stayed MIA ever since. The team says he is fine, but the baseman’s continuous absence has raised a lot of questions. Meanwhile, manager, Aaron Boone, has confirmed that Rizzo will return for the Friday game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Aaron Boone further clarified that Anthony Rizzo was available for the series finale against the Mariners as well. But since they had an off-day on Thursday, the team decided to provide an additional day of rest to the baseman. Regardless, the baseman remains fully healthy and will return over the weekend.