3:26PM: LeMahieu discussed his toe injury with Rivera and other reporters, saying that he had yet to begin any baseball activities since he isn’t able to rotate his right foot. LeMahieu is hopeful he might be able to return when the Yankees begin a homestand on September 20, though Boone wasn’t quite as optimistic about that potential return date.
9:25AM: The Yankees were largely able to avoid the injury bug in the early part of the year but it’s caught up with them here in the latter part of the schedule. The club currently has 15 players on the IL, which includes five position players and 10 pitchers. Marly Rivera did a thorough roundup at ESPN, including comments from manager Aaron Boone.
First baseman Anthony Rizzo has been out of action for over a week now but seems to be trending towards a return to baseball activities. A lingering back issue led to him getting an epidural as treatment, but that had the unfortunate side effect of giving Rizzo migraines. Rivera reports that Rizzo received a blood patch to try to alleviate the migraines, which Boone characterized as a success. “Immediately, they had him moving around and walking,” Boone said. “And I think it freed him up right away. Headaches are gone so far.”
Boone then added that if Rizzo feels good today, they will start ramping up baseball activities. While that sounds like good news, the next steps are still a bit murky. Though Boone is hoping for Rizzo to be back in the lineup within a week, it will depend on how things progress. “It’ll kind of depend on how the ramp-up goes. Hopefully, we’ve gotten through what we need to, and now we can start building that process. We’ll just pay attention to how he’s doing and how long it takes him to get rolling.”
With Rizzo and DJ LeMahieu out of action, the Yanks took a shot on Ronald Guzmán, though he was designated for assignment after just a few days. Marwin Gonzalez is holding down the position for now, with Rivera reporting that rookie Oswaldo Cabrera currently penciled in as the backup. Cabrera definitely has versatility, having played a lot of second base, third base and shortstop in his career, as well as some outfield work. He’s never played first base, however, though that doesn’t seem too concerning to the Yanks. Rivera reports that Cabrera has been practicing his work at first, getting a nod of approval from infield coach Travis Chapman.
There could be reinforcements coming for the outfield as well, with Harrison Bader inching closer to his Yankee debut. Acquired from the Cardinals on deadline day, Bader was on the IL at the time with plantar fasciitis and hasn’t been able to officially don the pinstripes just yet. He is going to start a rehab assignment today, though only serving as designated hitter initially. “It’s really just a matter of getting on a baseball field, checking off boxes in terms of feeling comfortable physically at game speed, and once those are checked, I’m going to go and be a winning player for this team,” Bader said.
Giving more details about the rehab, Boone said that Bader will DH today for the Double-A Somerset Patriots, who then have an off-day on Monday, with Bader building up after that. “It’ll probably be at least a week,” Boone said. “If we get through that week, and the buildup is going fine, he could be in play then when we start the homestand.” The homestand Boone referred to begins on September 20, which would give Bader a chance to contribute over the final two weeks of the regular schedule.
As for the pitching staff, the Yanks could have many options over the horizon, as a whole fleet of arms are rehabbing and nearing a return. Aroldis Chapman, Miguel Castro and Zack Britton are all scheduled to pitch for the Patriots today, with Chapman and Castro potentially returning for the same homestand as Bader. Scott Effross isn’t quite at the rehab stage but is gearing up to it. Additionally, Luis Severino is ready for launch but will make one more rehab start since the big league club has a couple of off-days that negate the need for his services in the short term.
The health of all these players, and the roster in general, will be hugely important for the Yankees in the final few weeks of the season. Not so long ago, it seemed that they were in cruise control, leading the AL East by as much as 15 1/2 games in July. This pile of injuries has helped slow the team down and whittle their lead over the Rays to just 4 1/2 games as of today, with the Jays just half a game behind Tampa. With just over three weeks left in the regular season, the Yanks will be hoping to fend off their competitors and keep the division title, which would be hugely important for their postseason chances. Whoever wins the East will almost certainly get a bye through the first round, whereas those who settle for a Wild Card slot will have to survive a best-of-three series to stay alive.
SliderWithCheese
The Yanks are not afraid of a wildcard. In fact, it may even benefit them as they can use those games as practice to fine tune their World Series run.
YankeesBleacherCreature
I see little benefit in a three-game series. Even a team entering the playoffs with the worst record can knock off a team like the Dodgers bc the variance is high such series.
Baseball dude
Totally disagree. No team would rather have a wild card series, especially if they have a chance for a bye. Besides, they may face other teams with far superior pitching, like the Seattle Mariners. Your comment is nothing more than trying to put a positive spin on losing.
Rsox
His comment was made to stir the pot and get everyone riled up. The Yankees sat pretty atop the AL for much of the season and has watched that go away. If they relinquish the division lead here at the end there probably won’t be a “World Series run” because they likely don’t make it out of the first round and probably definitely don’t make it past Houston in the ALCS
Ronk325
His comment made you get emotional so I guess it worked
neo
A positive spin on losing? What’s that mean, like putting lipstick on a pig?
Bright Side
Seriously? It would be a miracle if the Yankees get to the WS. Such would involve The Rays facing the Astros in the ALDS. No clear thinking Yankees fan would be confident against either one of these teams in a series, nevermind both.
dasit
agreed, but if the yankees are going to break the championship drought i’d rather it be an unlikely squad such as this one than another 2009-style juggernaut
Cosmo2
That ‘98 team was massively fun to watch. That was a juggernaut!
MuleorAstroMule
The Ministry of Truth would like to offer you a position in management.
.
MuleorAstroMule, you trying to say there is “doublespeak” going on on these threads?
dasit
i know it’s not 1984 because the tigers stink
GarryHarris
No, the Yankees need that initial by in the playoffs.
Frankie Bani
Bater is not Bob Jackson o Barry Bonds. He wont resolve the hitting problem, one player (Judge) do not to carry the Team, Yankees have pitchinng to go to playoff but for one game playoff,,never ever let Hick hit again.
Lloyd Emerson
Who the hell is Bob Jackson?
mlb1225
Better yet, who the hell is Bater?
Joe says...
As in: Swing Bater, Bater. Swing.
BuyBuyMets
Why are you speaking like Tonto?
Cosmo2
Werewolf? There, there wolf.
Frankie Bani
Sorry,,,Bo jackson & Bader…my keyboard
coocoo20
Bob jackson. Was a third baseman for the tri city triplets
coocoo20
Bater. Is master bater. A big part of your childhood
dasit
if sterling had any guts he would work this into his home run call i.e. “the masher-bader jerks it out of the park!!!”
Bright Side
Speaking of miracles, according to Wikipedia, it takes a year for a normal person to recover from PF. If Bader isn’t covering CF, there’s no rhyme or reason to bring him back. Then again these are the Yankees.
GarryHarris
Shoes and weight reduction can help
StudWinfield
I have my doubts if the likes of Chapman, Castro and Hicks are even on the post season rosters if there are enough other injury returns. Non 100% Britton and Bader might be better options.
Yankee Clipper
Just a September 11 shoutout to my fellow NYers, or anyone who lost someone as a result. Terrible day in history for our city and our country. Won’t forget the emotion of Bush throwing out that first pitch, whether you like the person or not, the symbolism sent waves of pro-American sentiment throughout the stadium, viewing audience, and greater MLB.
Sacrifices of so many on that day and after deserve to be forever recognized as long as our flag flies.
– Go Yankees
Joe says...
Well said Clip!!
dasit
incredible moment. i wasn’t the biggest fan of george w but he stepped up big-time that night
YankeesBleacherCreature
I’ll never forget that day, Clip. I was living in Lower Manhattan then and heard through my window the impact of the first plane hitting while having coffee watching CNBC. Saw the first tower collapse from my neighbor’s high terrace. I saw (zombie-like) people walk down my block completely covered in soot. It’s still surreal to me. RIP to all that were lost and thoughts to their loved ones.
Yankee Clipper
YBC, that is just surreal, and horrifying. It’s something that people don’t truly understand who have never been through something like that. God bless you, brother
YankeesBleacherCreature
Thank you, Clip.
kmk1986
Probably one of the best World Series that year it was incredible and I’m not a Yankees fan
dasit
after the insanity of games 4 and 5, the yankees had all the momentum heading back to arizona and johnson was actually hittable in game 6. if only andy pettitte wasn’t tipping his pitches yankees might have won 5 titles in 6 years
Yanks2
Although I believe New York will win the division, I also believe they’ll be first round exits in the ALDS.
Astros and Mets will be in the World Series
2400+ AB In MLB
No World Series for 13 years and counting and only 1 World Series in 22 years, despite staggering payrolls (very often the biggest payroll in MLB) year after year after year. brian cashman has no real plan- he just tosses things at the wall and hopes something sticks- pathetic. Long past time for the Yankees to get rid of brian cashman.
Poster formerly known as . . .
Bader said he’s “still feeling” the injury in his foot, said Meredith. It’s nice that he was able to DH today, but it seems unrealistic to expect him to be at playing speed in center field until the foot’s completely healed.
Joe says...
I saw an article earlier saying he was going to be dealing with it the rest of the year.
Yankee Clipper
I wonder what the chances are if re-injury. It’s not worth it if he’s going to aggravate it. We’ve already tried playing one guy with a foot injury (DJ), and it rendered him ineffective for the most part.
Yankee Clipper
Guys, no Hicks two games in a row, and two games in a row they dominate the Rays in two completely different ways… coincidence? I think not.
BTW, Cabrera is great for this team.
dasit
i have no idea if cabrera has the talent to have a long career, but he doesn’t play scared and he brings a good vibe to the dugout which they need right now
DR2020
And today they’re trying to out re-the rays, by being cute with the bullpen game when does that ever work out for us.
bwmiller
Batting third for your New York Yankees, Bob Jackson.
Jerry Cantrell
Meanwhile, Jordan Montgomery is 5-0 with a 1.45 ERA and a WHIP of 0.900 since joining the Cardinals.
CaptainJudge99
Is it too late for another win prediction from another Sting Ray? It’s funny Sting Ray fans have quieted down like their team lately. That’s too bad.
whyhayzee
What is Boonedoggle doing today? I just got home from New Hampshire and he’s using every pitcher in his bullpen to protect a huge lead. Did German get injured? Why is he just overusing every guy on his staff in an easy win? What in the Wide World of Sports is going on around here?
Poster formerly known as . . .
He’s messing with you.
whyhayzee
Dang it. And I played a great bass solo last night on a Howlin’ Wolf song.
Poster formerly known as . . .
Is this an obscure reference to Willie Dixon’s “Hoochie Coochie Man” (“I’m gonna mess with you”)?
whyhayzee
No, it was Built for Comfort. Nothing to do with baseball. One of my other activities. Made some new friends in the music world.
Poster formerly known as . . .
Taj Mahal did an excellent cover of that song.
whyhayzee
Thank you, I’ll check it out.
Edp007
Zeppelin loves covering Willie
whyhayzee
Pink, Taj Mahal mentions baseball AND there’s a bass solo. Nice. I had to dig to find the bass player and his death is a truly sad story. But he sure could play bass. Thanks for the heads up.
Old York
Yankees just need to stay im that 2 spot so they can get a bye-week to rest up and refresh the minds and team for the playoffs. Not sure they’ll get DJL by then but better than hoping for success in tbe Wildcard game.
Yankee Clipper
Kind of weird that for all the talk about prolonging games the Yankees game was stopped because of the Rays trying to challenge what would’ve been an out either way… It baffles me how far they go to try and save time, while adding it right back in when it’s a completely nonsensical stoppage. Just…weird the way they operate.
2400+ AB In MLB
Never happened.
n@tanddan73
Bader better be Worth giving up Montgomery. Somehow I think not.