The New York Yankees are on a roll this season. Even though they did not have a great season last year, the fans always expected them to bounce back harder. That’s what the NY side is doing this year. After 55 games, the Bronx Bombers still lead the American League East division. Currently, they are 37-18. The team has been looking like a worthy contender for the World Series this year. They have the second-best record in the American League so far. However, there have been a few concerns about injuries to key players. But the good news for the Pinstripes is that they have found worthy replacements.
For instance, when Gerrit Cole got hurt really badly in his right elbow during the spring training, it shocked the fans. Cole was coming off a Cy Young-winning season, and he’s the ace pitcher of the team. Hence, his injury, even before the new season began, was really a bad sign. But then Luis Gil came from the bullpen to take his place in the starters. The 25-year-old Dominican pitcher has been the best Yankee starter this season so far. Similarly, the Bronx Bombers are showing faith in the whole roster. They are willing to make changes after Sunday’s loss to the San Diego Padres.
Yankees Will Make More Roster Moves After The Series Against The Padres
On Friday, Nick Burdi became a new name on the Injured List. He suffered a hip inflammation. Later, the Bronx Bombers replaced Burdi with Yoendrys Gomez. On Friday, Gomez closed out the game as the Yankees won 8-0 against the SD Padres. He had a great outing. In his second MLB game, he had three strikeouts in a row. Yoendrys Gomez will go back to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. After the Yankees lost on Sunday, 5-2, the team optioned Gomez. Apparently, the NY side plans to activate Ian Hamilton, the reliever. On Tuesday, Hamilton was on a 7-day COVID-19 injury list. For a few days, the reliever has been over his illness.
Hamilton even traveled with the Bronx Bombers to San Diego. On Sunday, the plan was to bring the right-handed pitcher back. But later on, the Yankees decided to give him a few more rest days. Hamilton has been doing great since his rookie days last year. So far, he’s pitching a 3.18 ERA over 19 games. Other than the pitching department, the Yankees are planning to make roster moves in their hitting department as well. As per recent reports, DJ LeMahieu is looking to return to the lineup. Who’ll have to sacrifice his place for the veteran infielder?
Perhaps DJ Will Take Kevin Smith’s Place
Previously, in the spring training, DJ LeMahieu suffered a fractured right foot. It was a non-displaced fracture. Since then, along with Gerrit Cole, he has been too on the Injured List. Moreover, then the Yankees used a few players to take DJ’s place. In the leadoff spot, Anthony Volpe is doing a decent job with a .282 batting average.
Then, Oswaldo Cabrera is doing a pretty good job at infield as well. But when DJ LeMahieu will return to the lineup, chances are Kevin Smith will have to make way for him in the infield. On Saturday, the Yankees selected Smith from Triple-A. Smith took Jon Berti’s place as the latter got his name on the 15-day IL, owing to a strained left calf.
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