Another day, another injury for the Yankees’ outfield. Billy McKinney is headed to the disabled list after crashing into the left field wall at Toronto’s Rogers Centre on an attempted catch Saturday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post was among those to report. The Yankees will recall third baseman Miguel Andujar to take McKinney’s spot on their 25-man roster.
The rookie McKinney suffered an AC sprain in his left shoulder, per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, which forced him to leave the Yankees’ 5-3 loss to the Blue Jays in the first inning. The Yankees then subbed in Brett Gardner, who had been scheduled for an off day, to take McKinney’s place in left. Gardner joined Aaron Judge in center (his first big league game at the position) and Giancarlo Stanton in right to comprise New York’s outfield.
With Jacoby Ellsbury, Aaron Hicks and Clint Frazier also on the DL, the Yankees’ vaunted outfield has taken a beating early this season. They still have the enviable Judge-Stanton-Gardner trio intact, of course, but the depth behind them is now lacking. Potential backups on the big league roster include third baseman Brandon Drury, who played 94 games in the Diamondbacks’ outfield in 2016, utilityman Tyler Wade and first baseman Tyler Austin – both of whom bring some outfield experience to the table. The Yankees also have veteran Shane Robinson in the organization, but he’s not on their 40-man roster.
Andujar, 23, may slot in at both third and first in his second major league call-up. He vied for the Yankees’ third base job during the spring, but the late-February acquisition of Drury made it unlikely he’d open the season in the majors. Andujar appeared in five of the team’s games last year, which he mostly spent at the Triple-A level. He slashed an outstanding .317/.364/.502 in 250 PAs at the minors’ highest level in 2017, leading to his soaring stock as a prospect. Andujar’s a highly regarded youngster who ranks as FanGraphs’ 14th-best prospect.
MB923
You’re going to the DL and you’re going to the DL and you’re going to the DL
Chris
Didn’t wanna upvote it, but it’s true. Now at least we get to see more of Andujar vs major league pitching and playing defense. Tyler Austin looked good today too, so more depth once the injured get back
Chris4Sale74
I wonder how they’ll use & slot them? Wade back out in the OF & Miguel providing depth at 3B?
Chris
Probably. I think combination of Drury, Wade, Andujar, Walker, and Austin will rotate amongst LF, DH, 1B, 2B and 3B depending on pitching matchups until Ellsbury and Hicks return in about a week
srechter
I would imagine we’re more likely to see drury in the outfield than wade, but that’s purely speculation. He’s played far more professional outfield innings and did so on occasion just last season. Let’s also not forget that Tyler Austin has been an outfielder most of his minor league career, and more recently switched to first, so I’d think he would be a candidate as well. Lots of fill in options for the corners, it’s center that is the question mark. At least until Ellsbury/Hicks return.
U4gotSouza
I believe we’re going to see the same OF alignment as yesterday, with Andujar at DH. The depth is there between Austin, Wade etc. but I think they’ll try to get by with yesterday’s post McKinney injury OF, until Ellsbury comes off the DL
joshb600
Tough to watch that. Hit that scoreboard so hard out there that panel went black for a second. Hopefully nothing major
canadianyankee
I was at the game, sitting in RF and I heard the collision…it was LOUD…really hope the kid is alright, shoulder or concussion was my first thought
Adam6710
I was the guy who banged into the wall. Really hurt bad!
mvpetro
I was in the dugout, it sounded awful
slider32
Andujar gives the Yanks another good hitter in the line-up, he also could DH.
partyatnapolis
not sure i’d classify gardner as “enviable”.. the other 2 yes.. gardner is league average.
southbeachbully
Yeah. Last year he was a “league average” OF with above average defense, 20 hrs/20 SB and a 3.8 WAR which ranked him 16th among all OF’ers last year. League average? Most teams would take 3 of his kind happily. Figure there’s at least 90 OFers starting in the majors. He was among the 20.
jbigz12
Gardner’s not league average by any standard. He somehow is underrated playing in NY. Does a lot of things well.
Begamin
He is beloved in NY. Everyone else who underestimates him are foolish. His 12 pitch AB against Cody Allen where he hit an RBI single to bring the lead to 2 against the Indians in game 5 of the ALDS is a perfect summary of his contributions. Not the flashiest but a lot of heart, determination, and grit. One of my favorites
majorflaw
“He is somehow underrated playing in NY.”
The problem has nothing to do with NY and everything to do with the way he has been used. BG should have been the Yanks starting CF and leadoff hitter for most of the last ten years—his offensive production and plus defense justified both slots. But because the Yanks committed a ton of money to Damon and then Ellsbury, Gardner has only recently gotten anywhere close to optimal use. His current contract, actually his entire career, has been a (relative) bargain for the Yanquis. While not a star Brett Gardner is a very useful player who could help several teams.
Adam6710
No, it has everything to do with New York. He first joined the team when it was headlined by Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, CC Sabathia, Robinson Cano, Mariano Rivera, and Mark Texiera were at their best. Then the acquisitions of Masahiro Tanaka, Michael Pineda, and Jacoby Ellsbury were grabbing the headlines. Then Aaron Judge arrived.
In another city maybe he’s the star center fielder, but in New York it’s been tough for him to stand out.
MB923
Only 2 OFers in baseball have a 3+ rWAR the last 5 seasons. One of them is Mike Trout. The other is Brett Gardner.
rocky7
Such a dumb_ss comment, especially about Gardy by this partyatnapolis person that its not even worthy of a rebuttle.
chino31
Why wasn’t Green pitching today? That guy is light out.
canadianyankee
Betances was busy blowing any chance of Green coming in…what a clown show when runners get on base
Begamin
Boone didnt need to put Betances back out for another inning. This loss is on Boone. He also put in Holder out of all people to pitch in a close game.
Adam6710
I am tempted to agree, but it’s also possible the front office ordered him to run him out there– 1) if he succeeded, great. 2) if he flopped, easier to eventually cut him. It’s also probably not a coincidence they did it in the 3rd game of the season. He had a decent spring, so important to see what he has and how he can best be used before the season is really too deep.
Begamin
You see what he has in a blowout, not in a close game. Boones pitching choices cost 3 runs.
Adam6710
I personally think this was an early test of Betances. Putting him in a big spot to prove himself, or illustrate that he still doesn’t have it.
Using him in a blowout proves nothing because there’s no pressure, and very clearly Betances’ problem is in his HEAD, not his arm.
Begamin
You dont pitch him multiple innings in a close game for a test. There was no reason to send him back out there for another inning. He did fine for one inning and thats all that should have been asked of him. This one is on Boone
southbeachbully
So I assume it’ll be some combo of:
Andujar and Drury at 3B/DH
Walker and Austin at 1B/DH
Drury, Walker and Wade at 2B/DH
Interesting.
justin-turner overdrive
Where’s the Kemp-Braun trade story? Who’s the Dodgers prospect holding it up? Braun is not in the lineup tonight because the trade is apparently pretty serious.
ralph 3
Stearns shot it down per Haudricort. Unreliable source perhaps?
justin-turner overdrive
Yeah looks that way, all the major MLB writers were all about it on twitter tho?
Begamin
Andujar time!
xSpecBx
Wonder if they will leave Gardner in left or move him to center. Judge is probably athletic enough to play center but doesn’t sound like he has much experience there.
southbeachbully
Gardner will absolutely play CF.. Not even a question about it really.
U4gotSouza
It will come down to whether they’re more comfortable with Judge in CF or Stanton in LF. I think yesterday’s game showed they prefer the former
canadianyankee
Stanton looked awkward in the field today, and RF is his normal spot
canadianyankee
April will be like a free agent signing frenzy! Bird, Frazier, Ellsbury, Hicks, McKinney, Warren…did I miss anyone?
stubby66
I would think that Reynolds would be a good fit for Yankees. He can play decent enough third, first and outfield with what he brings with a bat and clubhouse. Yes he isn’t perfect but all the right tangible.
sufferforsnakes
Walls are hard.
strostro
Lineup
LF: Gardner
CF: Judge
RF: Stanton
C: Sanchez
SS: Gregorius
3B: Drury
DH: Andujar
2B: Walker
1B: Austin
driftcat28 2
Gardner would be going to CF with Stanton most likely in Left
Begamin
No. They dont like Stanton playing LF. Its why Judge played CF today
Gwynning's Anal Lover
Adam Lind is looking better and better everyday.
Begamin
Adam Lind is also not an Of
mike156
Hmm. I guess this demonstrates the old saw in baseball, “you can never have too many outfielders..”