TAMPA — With Opening Day lower than per week away, Brian Cashman referred to as the Yankees a “work in progress” on Saturday afternoon.
Accidents have definitely hindered that progress, leaving the Yankees’ championship-aspiring roster with some room for enchancment as they prep for an additional season. One explicit space of want is a right-handed bat, which Cashman acknowledged.
“I’d be happier if I could line up some choices for our manager,” Cashman mentioned when requested concerning the topic.
The addition of a right-handed bat may fill varied wants for the Yankees. Oswaldo Cabrera is at the moment anticipated to play third base often regardless of profiling extra as a utilityman, and Giancarlo Stanton’s highly effective swing received’t return to the DH spot anytime quickly.
Cashman mentioned that Stanton, who reported to camp with tennis elbows, continues to be not doing baseball actions and stays within the rehab/remedy part. Cashman added it’s “too early to tell” if three rounds of PRP injections have helped the slugger.
“I spent some time with him this morning, and he’s in good spirits,” Cashman continued. “Certainly we’re all hopeful that we can get him back down the line, but that’s not in the near-term.”
With Stanton out indefinitely and DJ LeMahieu (calf pressure) in want of extra time and unreliable as soon as wholesome, Cashman mentioned the Yankees are “keeping the phone lines open” almost about exterior additions. Nevertheless, he additionally mentioned “there’s not a lot of heavy-lifting going on in that area” and “this time of year, it’s not easy” to improve.
Cashman additionally mentioned, “There’s a lot of teams looking for right-handed balance throughout the game. Not just us.”
Whereas not a ringing endorsement, Cashman did say some right-handed selections have “kind of emerged here in camp.” He referred to as Pablo Reyes “the predominant one,” because the non-roster invitee can play everywhere in the diamond, together with third, and has had some success towards left-handed pitching.
Reyes, who was hitting .323 this spring coming into Saturday, has additionally earned admiration from Aaron Boone.
Cashman additionally talked about Oswald Peraza as somebody who’s “certainly in the mix,” although the proficient defensive infielder hasn’t proven that he can hit within the majors. His poor spring numbers haven’t given anybody purpose to suppose that may change.
Peraza is out of minor league choices, so he shall be uncovered to waivers if he doesn’t make the Yankees’ roster.
“I definitely see that there’s a role that he can play for us,” Cashman mentioned, however exterior additions may simply make Peraza expendable.
With Trent Grisham and J.C. Escarra set for spots on the bench and Ben Rice factoring into the group’s DH plans — the Yankees appear poised to hold three catchers — Dominic Smith opted out of his take care of the Yankees on Saturday. Cashman clarified that the Yankees have till Tuesday so as to add Smith to their roster, however the truth that the ex-Met is a left-handed hitter doesn’t assist.
