The New York Yankees already possess five players on the disabled list – all fielders. Though they will likely play around with the lineup, concerns aren’t warranted just yet.
This may not be how they wanted – or expected – it to happen, but nevertheless, Tyler Wade and Miguel Andujar have their opportunities. And the New York Yankees need them, as well as other lesser-known players, to step up in this position.
Experts and analysts pegged New York as the main contender in the American League East. Yet there must be some reasons why others dubbed Boston as the team to beat in the division. Surely there were many of them, but at this point they can say it boiled down to one thing: injuries.
So far, they wouldn’t be wrong.
Injury dominoes are already falling for the Yankees as April begins. Five players with MLB experience – all position guys – are on the shelf after just three games. Granted, they aren’t the team’s well-known slugging stars. Nonetheless, they’re still crucial to the team’s success.
Pinstripes Medical Center
— Derk (@captainderk) March 31, 2018
Jacoby Ellsbury
Clint Frazier
Greg Bird
Aaron Hicks
Billy McKinney
Adam Warren
New York shouldn’t worry too much about the injury bug picking off guys one by one, as it still boasts depth and talent. But manager Aaron Boone may have to be more creative when filling out his lineup every night.
Aaron Judge could have to play more centerfield. Wade and Brandon Drury can play some outfield. Andujar has an opportunity to garner some at-bats at third base. Neil Walker and Tyler Austin can continue to hold down first base.
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This trend can ultimately result in a different lineup every day, primarily at the bottom. And that is where this issue may have its biggest effect. The bottom three hitters in the lineup combined for a .242 average in the first came with a pair of bombs courtesy of Austin.
Last year, the Yankees’ bottom three averaged .257, which isn’t terrible compared to the rest of the league. In comparison, the rival Red Sox hit .247.
The more popular bombers will catch fire. Yet, New York also needs a steady contributing crew at the bottom for days like Saturday, when everyone not named Tyler Austin collects two hits combined.
There shouldn’t be too much worry amongst Yankees fans. However, this month is a crucial period in which Boone can flash the organization’s depth outside of the prototypical Bronx bombers.
New York dodged another injury worth noting
Although the club lost a handful of guys throughout the past few weeks, it caught at least one break injury-wise.
Blue Jays infielder Aledmys Diaz drilled reliever Adam Warren in the right ankle, forcing him to exit the game in the sixth inning. Though fans were worrisome of a positive X-ray, results were negative – just a right ankle contusion.
While this may seem like a minor victory for the Yankees in the durability department, it is much more than that. If position players continue to hit the disabled list, a healthy pitching staff could essentially keep the team in contention.
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Thus far, the bullpen unit looks more promising then frustrating, though Dellin Betances attempted to pull the needle more toward the latter. April tends to be a popular month for relief corps, being that starters aren’t completely stretched out.
Hence, Warren’s avoidance of the DL is important. Heck, considering that this is the regular season now, every injury, whether major or minor, is critical.