Yankees general manager Brian Cashman provided some updates on several of his injured players during an appearance today on The Front Office on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM. (You can listen to some of the audio here, while ESPN.com’s Coley Harvey has the rundown.) Perhaps the most pressing item is the status of Luis Severino, as Cashman said that the right-hander isn’t expected to return until after the All-Star break. Severino has yet to pitch this season, first going on the IL with rotator cuff inflammation, and then suffering a lat strain while already sidelined. That second injury led to a six-week shutdown from throwing, putting Severino on the shelf until roughly May 20. Since Severino missed much of Spring Training dealing with his initial shoulder problem, it appears as though the Yankees are essentially restarting the righty’s preseason prep in order to get him fully ready for the second half.
Here’s more on the Yankees and some other injury situations from around the American League…
- Cashman said that Clint Frazier (sprained ankle) will return to the 25-man roster on Monday. The club is “hopeful” Aaron Hicks (back) is tentatively slated for minor league rehab games this week and could be activated from the IL to make his season debut next weekend, plus Giancarlo Stanton (bicep, shoulder injuries) could start his own minor league rehab stint next weekend. In longer-term injuries, Cashman ruled Dellin Betances out until “sometime in June,” as Betances is still recovering from a bone spur in his throwing shoulder. Betances recently received a cortisone shot and will start throwing again on Monday, the GM said. The news is better for Didi Gregorius (Tommy John surgery), who is set to complete his throwing program this week and may begin extended Spring Training games within the next two weeks. For even more injured Yankees, Cashman didn’t have anything new to report on Aaron Judge, Greg Bird, or Jacoby Ellsbury.
- Eloy Jimenez’s high ankle sprain was seemingly going to put the young slugger out of action until mid-May, though MLB.com’s Scott Merkin reports (Twitter link) that Jimenez will now travel with the White Sox for their four-game series in Cleveland beginning on Monday. As Merkin describes things, it is a “much much better scenario….[than] it first looked upon injury.” It seems as though Jimenez will be able to avoid a minor league rehab stint and could end up spending only the 10-day minimum on the IL, though the Sox will obviously be as cautious as possible with their top prospect.
- In other White Sox injury news, Kelvin Herrera left today’s game due to back stiffness and is day-to-day, manager Rick Renteria told Merkin and other reporters. Herrera may not miss any substantial amount of time, as Renteria believes “it’s going to be something very light in terms of injury.” It’s likely the back issue contributed to Herrera’s rough outing today, as he allowed five runs in just two-third of an inning against the Red Sox. Prior to today’s ugliness, Herrera had been off to a nice start with Chicago, with a 2.76 ERA, 8.8 K/9, and 4.00 K/BB rate in his first 16 1/3 frames of the season.
- Danny Salazar has hit another setback, as Indians manager Terry Francona told media (including the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Paul Hoynes) that Salazar had been shut down “a couple of days” after experiencing some soreness during a bullpen session last week. Salazar missed all of 2018 dealing with shoulder problems that eventually required surgery, and he has yet to pitch this season as he makes his way back to full health. Even before the shutdown, there was no timetable in place for when Salazar might yet return to the Tribe’s 25-man roster.
The Indians wanted to pare payroll, but the gave Salazar $4.5 Million.
I said it then, and I’ll say it now — probably the dumbest offseason move they made.
Really? Shoring up the outfield with a bonafide outfielder would have been a good idea. Coming off another division win and they spend less overall. Salazar is nothing compared to that.
You obviously don’t know the history of Salazar.
Hey now, Salazar had a healthy season back in 2015. Just because that was his only one I wouldn’t call him an injury concern quite yet. I completely agree the return would have been light but they should have traded him in the offseason instead of creating all of the Kluber rumors. Salazar could be the best they have but a team with payroll constraints like the Indians can’t keep throwing money at him if he can’t stay healthy. That $4.5m could have been used on Adam Jones.
Definitely would have been better spent that way. I would have waived him myself.
It bums me out that he’s never gotten healthy again. I actually got to meet him before a game in Anaheim once. A private encounter arranged by an Angels usher. He was scheduled to pitch that night, which is why I went. Still have the ball he autographed for me, but lost track of our picture together. Of course, as luck would have it, his start got bumped to the next night, and I never did get to see him pitch in person.
Yanks are +250 to win the pennant and +500 to win the WS en (give or take a half point or so). Get it while you can because all star caliber reinforcements are on the way. I’m a Jay’s fan 🙁
Pitching and defense is what wins in the postseason, and the Yankees just don’t have either. The only thing that’s changed from last year is the addition of oft-injured Paxton, and Robertson getting swapped out for Ottavino. Do you trust Andujar and Sanchez on defense in tight postseason games? Scouts sure don’t. And remember Judge, Stanton and Sanchez were all healthy last October.
Yanks will certainly make the playoffs, but until they can put together a starting rotation with 3 dependable postseason pitchers, my money is on Houston and Boston. Especially with the Red S0x pitchers starting the season a month later than everyone else.
BS. Boston won last year without any pitchers who had proven themselves in the post season, and they’re unlikely to even make the playoffs this year so you can forget that fantasy.
Homerism is a disease. Get some help.
“Unlikely to make the playoffs”
Dude they’re there games behind you and we haven’t even hit middle of May yet. Stop being so delusional. Let’s see how your Yanks hold up when they start to play actual good teams before we declare who is and isn’t going to make the playoffs.
Just beat Twins and have played a few good teams – Red Sox .. they lost series to White Sox and Detroit – poor showing – but with a normal starting 6, they’ll kill it . So sit back and relax – it’s gonna happen = Winning!
JA Happ had 1 bad game in Colorado in 2008 and a rough start against Boston last year. Other than that he has been solid in the playoffs. Tanaka and Sabathia have both proven to be dependable starters (Tanaka an Ace) in the playoffs. I am sure they will probably trade for another starter at the deadline as well but you did say only 3. Since they already have those 3 they must be going to the World Series now.
No worries. Money will be used to buy an arm by mid season deadline – and include a good player from their AAA bench.
Can’t have 11 starters on IL all season – so odds are in their favor. Just sayin….
“Money will be used to buy an arm by mid season deadline” dude that’s not how it works..Hence the term Trade Deadline. They have nothing in AAA.
Keuchel is still available.
Sorry, just saw the word deadline…
I wonder why they are +250 for the pennant and the World Series is +500. You would think the odds would stay the same since the Dodgers will probably win the NL pennant and we all know they won’t be happy until they lose more championships in a row than the Bills did in the early 90’s.
That one game wildcard in New York against the Red Sox is going to be dope.
What? No MIkeYank55 to disparage the Yankees training staff? Too sacred a topic, i guess
he’s easily the most annoying poster of em all. its sad that the education system has failed him.
he can’t see the difference between Yankee fans frustrated with cashman’s missed off season opportunities with Yankee haters.
Not to mention the self appointed judge and jury on who’s really a Yankees fan Rocky.
Chinmusic…Why don’t you just blow it out of you know where you baseball uneducated homer troll!
Oh Gee-I see the difference between real Yankee fans and Monday quarterbacks. There are only two issues; it’s not football season and it’s too early in this season for your simplistic prognostications.
We are 1/6th of the way through. When Paxton was on a roll you were quiet; now a small injury and you mouth off with the panic button.
Now combine the arm chair GM’s with those who simply love to post while looking at their Chins in the mirror and you have a really said environment on here.
When the boss was alive if there was such a board or app, some of you would complain that “you can’t keep buying championships”. Hal and Cash have done a damn good job in rebuilding this team in three years without touching the basement. The team is stacked with good young players.
As bad as you girls point out, the Yankees have been playing good baseball for a team that has been decimated worse than ANY in recent memory.
They are winning games with roster depth, something that the Harper and Machado inspired posters can’t explain now. They are winning with small ball, for those power complainers.
There’s no reason to support the sky. So stop whining. Sit back and watch the game. You will see front line players come back and the season unfold. It’s a long season.
Yes they are playing well for a team so banged up. But I wouldn’t tout their deep farm system, not when you have overhyped Chance Adams and Justis Sheffield before him, and have serviceable replacements like Brad Miller And Cliff Pennington and Ryan Lavarmway and Rex Brothers heading up your Scranton-Wlkes Barre roster. NOT propects! Just hope you stay healthy. Biggest offseason mistake was not offering Gary Sanchez for JT Realmuto. Penny-pinching NON-Boss move.
Sheffield was traded to the Mariners as part of the Paxton deal. Domingo German has been pitching extremely well through his first 6 starts. Guys are starting to come back from the IL, but their depth has certainly been tested these last few weeks.
oh i sat back and watched the game Saturday as the 17 million arm was a no show,
tell me mike- Why am I, Steve, and cereal, et al not allowed to question cashman’s off season moves.???
You clearly don’t get the difference. Being a fan doesn’t mean i have to love every move. I just happen to think he blew an incredible opportunity this past post season and has failed miserably to build a starting pitching staff. Right now those concerns are legit and the SP failures fact
geeson, they’ve had a cupcake schedule so far, and we’ll see how they do going forward. That Paxton trade was a bust because of his checkered injury past.
Two wins against teams with a winning record folks. Here comes mikeyank55, and all FO wannabes telling us “we’re not real Yankees fans”. Personally I’m tired of the greatest franchise in sports settling for just an almost season. Here comes Boston!
Its unbelievable what comes out of your mouth….you talk about me being judge and jury……nobody else spews so much garbage as you Troll!
There’s the “Troll” reference when someone has an opinion that doesn’t jive with almighty rocky7. You constantly use that as an attack fallback instead of at least attempting to prove any point. Oh yea then there’s how you attacked Cereal the other day. Get over yourself like others have said.
Doesn’t show up on Yankee articles. His sole purpose is only to troll Red Sox and Mets. Blatant too. Wish the comments could be cleaned up a bit better on the site.
I totally agree. MikeYank55 is just a nasty troll on other sites. Nothing constructive to add to a conversation. Just about EVER.
Can’t speak for MikeYank on other sites but he is just as much a homer as many who post for their teams….normally he is defending his team against ridiculous rants from other teams fans….the same as everyone else does so what’s the difference….again just speaking about this site not others!
And exactly who is to judge what is “constructive” anyway?
look- i think having an open debate is fine. That what we fans do. but that guy being caustic and calling us “met fans” is just arrogant and myopic.
I love the yanks and grew up in Van Cortland park in the Bronx. have been to about 500 games including this past Saturday. so for him to throw out his BS “you’re a Met fan stuff” is quite frankly moronic and obtuse.. .
Steve, cereal, louie, me, and others have basically been saying the same things. At the core is the frustration that the team had a huge opportunity to put the sox and stros in the rear view mirror this past off season and did not.
Am glad the replacements have more than picked up the slack but c’mon…….this team will end the way the previous two have as currently constructed
Can’t the Yankees just put those inflatable sumo wrestler outfits on their players so they don’t get hurt?
It seemed they tried it, I see Sabathia sporting one, but it hasn’t kept him healthy…
It will be nice to get Eloy back. With TA and Moncada coming back down to Earth and both the rotation and pen being a massive clusterf, we need something to root for this year. The only reason we will be spared another 100 loss season is because KC and Detroit are in even deeper rebuilds than we are, and even that’s not a guarantee. So having Eloy (along with TA and Moncada) will give us Sox fans a reason to even watch the games this Summer. I’m getting tired of showing as much interest in the minor league teams as I do the Sox.
This team is absolutely headed to 100 Ls. The most consistent pitcher they have right now is Giolito, and that is consistently mediocre. And there is not enough help coming, even if they call up Cease.
And you could very well be right that they will lose 100. I’ll rephrase it: the ONLY reason they won’t lose 100 is they have 2 teams worse than them in the division (and even that’s debatable).
Anyone know how much longer Brett Gardner is gonna play? He’s gonna be batting .160 soon? When are we going to see something different or let alone kick him off the team? Anyone else tired of this 200 hitting LF for the past few years?
I’d like to watch some Yankees game I have not watch one yet as I promised myself I will not watch as long as he’s in the lineup. Will this BS ever end with him?
its a race between him and tauchman
Brantley 32 million for 2 years now doesn’t that sound better.
I’m not as bothered by him playing, especially with all the injuries, I hate how often he bats lead-off.
i think the issue is he playing way more than expected b/c of injuries and still is being paid 10 million bucks! Plus to Louie’s point he’s really not very good anymore…. was a great Yankee in the day, but that day passed about 3 years ago
@geeson… I was never really bothered by the signing as I thought him to be a fourth outfielder and considering roster construction he made a decent backup centerfielder. I agree his best days are behind him.
Clint is back today I believe so he will bump Gardy or tauchman.
Considering the number of injuries the Yankees have piled up in the first month alone shows how remarkable their team is to be 19-14. They are a powerhouse and will be even stronger after the trade deadline.
Houston also a powerhouse. If they matchup in the playoffs that is must-see TV. Tampa is a thorn in their side and I expect Boston to catch up. 3 teams in the AL East should make the postseason this time around.
Is it just me or has there been an abnormal amount of injuries this season?
It does feel like more injuries are occurring especially after some of them have signed these contract extensions then you have those on the outside looking in Kimbrel and Dallas how would their body react once they sign and face live hitters as opposed to their long extended spring training they are in.
Watching Gardner last night trying to lay down a bunt was embarrassing when he first came up he knew how to bunt he got lucky that Urshela saved his neck. It is all across baseball these managers fall in love with long time players that are past their prime to play on a consistent basis, Case in point yes Gardner has speed but what good is your speed if you can’t get on base, therefore he should not be leading off. Right now if Hicks come back I would sit down Gardner go with Maybin in LF and let Maybin leadoff until he cools off. Interesting what will happen once the reinforcements come back will it tamper with the chemistry these backups have brought to each and every game they have been penciled in. Boone will go back to managing the All or Nothing approach which is what hurts this team consistently it the playoffs not playing the small ball approach and moving runners over. As for the team in general there is not one MLB TEAM right now that has been decimated with more starting injuries than the Yankees and for them to not only be above .500 to be a 1.5 games back with back-ups & multiple released players you have to give some props to Cashman for pulling the strings.