The Yankees had one main query mark of their lineup when spring coaching started. Now they’ve two.
With third base already a priority when camp opened, Giancarlo Stanton reported with tennis elbows after managing the accidents for many of final season. The reveal put the designated hitter’s availability for Opening Day in jeopardy straight away, and a current departure from Tampa – Stanton has been coping with a private matter in New York — solely introduced extra uncertainty to the slugger’s standing.
Till Saturday, that’s, because the Yankees introduced that Stanton will formally start the season on the injured record. They added that he acquired PRP injections in each elbows whereas in New York final week.
Whereas Stanton is anticipated again in Tampa this week, will probably be a bit earlier than he’s written into the Yankees’ lineup. His absence means the Bombers could have some flexibility with the DH spot, although they’d definitely want to have Stanton’s highly effective right-handed swing in a lineup that bought a bit extra left-handed over the winter.
Search for Aaron Boone to get Aaron Choose his justifiable share of DH days whereas Stanton is out. Doing so would create extra alternatives for backup outfielder Trent Grisham, as he can play heart whereas Cody Bellinger slides over to proper.
Paul Goldschmidt, age 37 and accustomed to enjoying 150-something video games per yr, could be one other logical alternative for some DH days. Giving the primary baseman a break from the sector might result in extra at-bats for Ben Rice, a pure catcher who realized first final yr and has loved a hard-hitting spring.
The Yankees might all the time usher in an exterior DH — J.D. Martinez remains to be a free agent — however the membership hasn’t appeared keen to spend cash on its different, older drawback: third base.
After an offseason of rumors connecting them to each accessible infielder underneath the solar, the Yankees selected to enter camp with DJ LeMahieu, Oswaldo Cabrera and Oswald Peraza competing for the recent nook.
That group sustained successful on Saturday, as LeMahieu couldn’t make it by means of his spring debut with out struggling a left calf damage after two at-bats. LeMahieu has been hindered by quite a few accidents during the last a number of years, has proven regular decline over that interval and is coming off the worst season of his profession. The 2-time batting champ can also be owed $30 million over the subsequent two seasons.
On Sunday, LeMahieu mentioned that his damage isn’t main, however he added that he in all probability received’t be capable to return for a bit, per The Bergen Document’s Pete Caldera.
This morning at Yankees camp, DJ LeMahieu (left calf) mentioned situation is “not anything major but it’s probably going to be a little bit” earlier than he’s capable of return.
That leaves Cabrera and Peraza because the Yankees’ major candidates at third. Jorbit Vivas has additionally been talked about as an possibility, however he’s but to play in a spring recreation as a result of shoulder soreness and was already thought of a longshot for the job.
Cabrera has the sting in the case of expertise, and he’s had some success within the majors during the last three years. Nevertheless, he’s most precious when he’s shifting all around the diamond — Cabrera has accomplished every part besides catch — and Boone might not wish to lock him into one place.
Peraza, however, has but to indicate that he can hit main league pitching. The pure shortstop is as sure-handed as they arrive, although, and he’s impressed thus far in camp. Peraza can also be out of choices and could be uncovered to waivers if he doesn’t make the Yankees’ Opening Day roster.
Once more, the Yankees might search an exterior improve – Nolan Arenado reignited rumors when stopped by Steinbrenner Subject final week — however the staff’s incumbent decisions are down to 2 if LeMahieu isn’t prepared for the beginning of the season.
Initially Printed: March 2, 2025 at 11:17 AM EST
