After learning that Mike Tauchman would be sidelined for 6-8 weeks, the New York Yankees face a dilemma in the outfield. What are some solutions?
This season, the New York Yankees have suffered more injuries than any team could possibly endure. However, with each loss, there always seems to be a backup waiting in the wings to prove his worth to the organization.
For a while, Mike Tauchman was that for the Yankees and more. A formidable replacement for the seemingly endless number of injuries absorbed by the Bronx Bombers, Tauchman slashed .277/.361/.504 in 296 plate appearances.
In fact, for much of the season, Tauchman has been so good that the mere thought of Giancarlo Stanton, the 2016 NL MVP, left a bad taste in the mouths of the Yankee faithful.
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Unfortunately, for the Yanks, however, Tauchman is now another one of their many injured players. After suffering a flexor strain in Fenway Park on Sunday night, the New York Yankees announced on Monday that Tauchman will be sidelined for 6-8 weeks, joining the aforementioned Stanton and Aaron Hicks on the IL.
So, where do the Yanks turn now for a replacement player?
The good news is, for now, the team has enough outfielders on the roster to wait out either Hicks or Stanton. Originally, the thought of an outfield that includes Brett Gardner and Cameron Maybin, alongside Aaron Judge might not have seemed ideal for the organization. Fortunately, Gardner and Maybin have held their own this season and are more than capable of holding it down until Hicks and/or Stanton return.
As far as Hicks goes, the Yankees did receive some bad news over the weekend. Hicks, who’s been sidelined with a flexor strain near his right elbow, could miss the rest of the season after suffering a setback during his rehab assignment in Tampa.
Giancarlo Stanton, on the other hand, has received some good news.
Having only played in nine games this season, it’s starting to look like a return is fast approaching. According to Lindsey Adler of The Athletic, New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that Stanton could rejoin the team during their next homestand, a week from today.
If that timetable holds true than the team can rest easy knowing that Stanton can man left field, while a combination of Gardner and Maybin hold down center field, and Judge continues to play right.
The only thing left to do thereafter is hold your breath and hope the injuries cease.