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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 26, 2024 5:25:23 GMT -5
Injuries & Moves: Gonzalez sustains orbital fracture 12:45 AM ADT
MLB.com
LATEST NEWS
March 25: OF Oscar Gonzalez has right orbital fracture Gonzalez fouled a pitch off his face in the second inning of the Yankees’ exhibition in Mexico City. He fell to the ground for several moments, then managed to stand up before being carted off the field. Gonzalez, who was reassigned to Minor League camp earlier in the day, was treated for a right eye contusion at Alfredo Harp Helú Stadium and was taken to ABC Medical Center in Mexico City. After the game, the Yankees announced that Gonzalez sustained a right orbital fracture and will remain in the hospital overnight for observation and rest.
March 25: 1B Anthony Rizzo (latissimus dorsi muscle) expected to play on Opening Day Rizzo, who hasn't played since March 20 because of tightness in the lat muscle, was the starting DH and went 0-for-2 in the Yankees' Grapefruit League finale against the Mets on March 25. The veteran should be in the lineup for the March 28 opener against the Astros in Houston.
March 25: OF Greg Allen, OF Oscar Gonzalez, INF Jose Rojas, RHP Dennis Santana and INF Kevin Smith reassigned to Minor League camp The moves left infielder Jahmai Jones and catcher Ben Rortvedt among those still under consideration to score spots on the Opening Day roster. The demotion of Smith left Oswaldo Cabrera as the backup shortstop, but since Cabrera is also the likely starting third baseman in DJ LeMahieu’s absence, a trade appears possible. Both Jones and Rortvedt are out of Minor League options.
March 25: RHP Yerry De Los Santos, C Luis Torrens reassigned to Minor League camp De Los Santos, 26, spent the past two seasons with the Pirates before signing a Minor League deal with the Yankees in November. He posted a 9.00 ERA in five Grapefruit League appearances. Torrens, 27, has spent parts of six seasons in the Majors. He hit .222 with two home runs in 20 games this spring.
• All Yankees transactions INJURY UPDATES
INF DJ LeMahieu (bruised right foot) Expected return: TBD LeMahieu, who has been out since fouling a ball off his foot March 16, will open the season on the injured list, general manager Brian Cashman said on March 25. Oswaldo Cabrera is a "strong candidate" to replace LeMahieu as the starting third baseman, Cashman said.
“The last two days as he’s ramped up a little bit, it’s just been slow,” manager Aaron Boone said on March 25. “It’s not close to where it needs to be, so the timeline became inevitable.”
Boone said that LeMahieu is dealing with swelling in the foot and is scheduled to undergo another MRI on March 29. LeMahieu will remain behind in Tampa, Fla., and Boone said that he did not know if he might be ready for the April 5 home opener. (Last updated: March 25)
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 27, 2024 13:05:13 GMT -5
Yankees Acquire Jon Berti From Marlins, Trade Ben Rortvedt To Rays In Three-Team Deal
By Steve Adams | March 27, 2024 at 12:31pm CDT
12:31pm: The Yankees are sending catcher Ben Rortvedt to the Rays in the swap, tweets Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. He’ll open the season as the backup to Rene Pinto, with non-roster invitee Alex Jackson heading to Triple-A Durham.
12:23pm: The Rays are sending outfield prospect Shane Sasaki to Miami as part of the deal, De Nicola reports.
12:16pm: The Marlins will pick up minor league outfielder John Cruz in the deal, reports Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports that the Rays are also involved in this, apparently making it a three-team swap, though their role is not yet clear.
12:08pm: The Yankees and Marlins are in agreement on a trade sending utility infielder Jon Berti from Miami to New York, reports Craig Mish of SportsGrid and the Miami Herald. Berti, 34, is earning $3.6MM in the second season of a two-year, $5.725MM contract and is controllable through the 2025 season via arbitration.
Berti will give the Yankees an option to open the season at third base, with DJ LeMahieu (bone bruise in foot) and Oswald Peraza (shoulder strain) slated to hit the injured list, and he can back up nearly any spot on the diamond once LeMahieu returns. He’s fresh off a strong .294/.344/.405 batting line (103 wRC+) with seven homers and 16 stolen bases in a career-high 424 plate appearances with the Fish in 2023.
While Berti doesn’t bring any power to the table — last season’s seven homers were a career-high — he’s been a roughly league-average performer at the plate throughout his career thanks to an above-average walk rate, lower-than-average strikeout rate and plus speed that helps him leg out his share of infield hits (and stretch some would-be singles into doubles). Overall, Berti is a career .258/.337/.368 hitter — about 4% worse than league-average (by measure of wRC+) when weighting for the Marlins’ quite pitcher-friendly home environs.
Berti swiped 41 bags in just 102 games back in 2022, and while he ran less often in 2023, that didn’t have anything to do with a drop-off in speed. Statcast ranked Berti in the 95th percentile of MLB players with an average sprint speed of 29.3 feet per second last season.
Defensively, Berti has played every position other than catcher or first base. He’s spent more time at third base than any other position (1050 innings), but he’s also logged 792 innings at second base, 764 innings at shortstop and 577 frames in the outfield (281 in left, 231 in center and 65 in right). Both Defensive Runs Saved and Outs Above Average agree that he’s been a plus defender at each of third base, shortstop and left field.
Given Berti’s experience at the hot corner and the injuries to both LeMahieu and Peraza, there’s a strong chance that the Yankees’ newest acquisition will start tomorrow’s season opener at third base. He’ll likely be the team’s primary third baseman in the short term, and the versatility that both Berti and LeMahieu bring to the table will give manager Aaron Boone plenty of lineup options once the bone bruise in LeMahieu’s foot mends.
The Rays will get the only other player with big league experience in this three-team swap, though Rortvedt is rather limited in that regard. Formerly a second-round pick of the Twins, Rortvedt is a defensive-minded backstop who landed in the Bronx by way of the 2022 trade that sent him and Josh Donaldson to the Yankees in exchange for Gio Urshela and Gary Sanchez.
Rortvedt only appeared in 32 games with the Yankees over his two-year stint with the club, thanks to a series of injuries. An oblique strain limited him during spring training in 2022, and Rortvedt underwent knee surgery that May after beginning the season in the minors. Last spring, he underwent surgery to address an aneurysm in his shoulder that had been contributing to pain and numbness in his hand.
In all, Rortvedt only has 177 big league plate appearances between the Twins and Yankees, and he’s posted a dismal .146/.234/.255 batting line in that time. He hit well in 124 Triple-A plate appearances last year (.286/.395/.505), but Rortvedt is surely being acquired by the Rays because of their belief in his defensive chops.
The Rays tend to prioritize defense over offense at the catching position, and over the years Rortvedt has turned himself into a plus defender behind the dish. Baseball America named him the best defensive catcher in the Twins’ system from 2018-20, and the 26-year-old boasts an outstanding 34% caught-stealing rate in his career — including a 39% mark in his limited MLB action. Baseball Prospectus credits him with plus framing marks throughout his time in the minors, and he’s graded well there in the big leagues as well.
Because of all his time on the injured list, Rortvedt has more than two years of big league service time in spite of his minimal playing time. He’s out of minor league options, so he’ll have to stick on Tampa Bay’s roster this season. If he lasts the whole year, he’ll be eligible for arbitration for the first time in the 2024-25 offseason. The Rays can control him through the 2027 season via that process.
Turning the Marlins’ return for Berti, they’ll acquire a pair of outfield prospects — a position that’s regularly been a weakness for them in recent years. Sasaki, 23, was limited by injury to 68 games last season and hasn’t played above High-A. He went unselected in this past December’s Rule 5 Draft. Baseball America still tabbed him 21st in the Rays’ system, touting his 65-grade speed (on the 20-80 scale) and ability to play plus defense in center field or left. He’s a hit-over-power prospect who turned in a strong .301/.375/.465 batting line with seven homers and a dozen steals in 293 plate appearances at High-A last year.
Given his success in High-A last year, Sasaki seems likely to open the 2024 season in Double-A with his new organization. With a strong showing early in the year, a bump to Triple-A or perhaps even to the big leagues could be well within reach. Miami has been looking for a long-term center fielder for years now. Sasaki’s lack of power means he’ll need to continue to draw walks and hit for average in order to profile as a regular, but he at least gives Miami someone with a reasonable chance to become that everyday center fielder they’ve sought — albeit with a perhaps greater chance he settles in as more of a fourth outfielder.
More to come.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 28, 2024 5:35:35 GMT -5
Here is Yankees Opening Day roster after trade for 2022 stolen base champ
Updated: Mar. 28, 2024, 3:40 a.m.|Published: Mar. 27, 2024, 3:36 p.m.
By
Randy Miller | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
HOUSTON — The Yankees’ Opening Day roster is complete.
Probably.
Maybe.
There’s still time to further upgrade the bench after GM Brian Cashman did so Wednesday acquiring utility player Jon Berti for the Marlins a three-team trade that sent catcher Ben Rortvedt to the Rays and 18-year-old outfielder prospect John Cruz to Miami.
Berti figures to share the Yankees’ third base duties early in the season with fellow utility player Oswaldo Cabrera until starter DJ LeMahieu returns from a bruised right foot.
Berti, 34, brings a lot over versaility, as he made starts at shortstop, third base, second base and left field last season.
He also adds to the team speed. In 2022, Berti led the majors in steals with 41 in 46 attempts despite playing only 105 games. Last year, he swiped 16 bags in 22 tries.
If the Yankees don’t make any further additions before Thursday’s season opener against the Astros at Minute Maid Park, their four-man bench will include rookie catcher Austin Wells, who may play as much or more than Jose Trevino right away, outfielder Trent Grisham, infielder-outfielder Jahmai Jones and Berti.
Clayton Beeter and Wells are the only rookies.
If the Yankees don’t make any further additions before Thursday’s season opener against the Astros at Minute Maid Park, their four-man bench will include rookie catcher Austin Wells, who may play as much or more than Jose Trevino, outfielder Trent Grisham, infielder-outfielder Jahmai Jones and Berti.
Right-hander Clayton Beeter and Wells are the only rookies.
Here is the Yankees roster: PITCHERS RIGHT-HANDERS (9)
Clayton Beeter; Nick Burdi; Luis Gil; Ian Hamilton; Clay Holmes; Jonathan Loaisiga; Clarke Schmidt; Marcus Stroman; Luke Weaver. LEFT-HANDERS (4)
Nestor Cortes; Caleb Ferguson; Victor Gonzalez; Carlos Rodon. POSITION PLAYERS INFIELDERS (6)
Jon Berti; Oswaldo Cabrera; Jahmai Jones; Anthony Rizzo; Gleyber Torres; Anthony Volpe. OUTFIELDERS (4)
Trent Grisham; Aaron Judge; Juan Soto; Alex Verdugo. CATCHERS (2)
Jose Trevino; Austin Wells. DESIGNATED HITTER (1)
Giancarlo Stanton. INJURED LIST (8)
Gerrit Cole, RHP; Jasson Dominguez, OF; Scott Effross, RHP; Tommy Kahnle, RHP D.J. LeMahieu, 3B; McKinley Moore, RHP; Oswald Peraza, INF; Lou Trivino, RHP.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 28, 2024 5:37:23 GMT -5
Should Aaron Boone be on hot seat? Yankees manager addresses job security before new chase for elusive title
Published: Mar. 28, 2024, 3:52 a.m.
By
Randy Miller | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
HOUSTON — On Opening Day eve for 24 of the 30 Major League clubs, BetOnline announced updated odds for postseason awards on Wednesday. The Yankees were well represented. The two top American League MVP favorites are Aaron Judge at 5/1 followed by Juan Soto at 6/1. Also making the list as a longshot is Gleyber Torres at 100/1.
Earlier in March, the betting site released lines for first manager fired.
Want to take a wild guess who had the best odds?
Uh huh, Mr. Aaron Boone at 5/1.
Once again, Boone’s job security is one of the Yankees’ storylines, this time heading into Thursday’s season opener at Minute Maid Park because a bunch of regular-season success prior to 2023 didn’t turn into championship No. 28 or pennant No. 41 for the MLB’s winningest franchise.
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RESTORING THE GLORY
The Yankees won it all in 2009 when Derek Jeter and the rest of the Core Four climbed the mountaintop one last time. Ever since, there’s been a bunch of playoff appearances, a few trips to the ALCS and no World Series appearances or titles with Joe Girardi managing from 2010-17 and Boone skippering since 2018.
The pennant drought is up to 14 years, which is the longest since the franchise was born in 1903 – the same year of the first World Series – through 1920, Babe Ruth’s first year in pinstripes. But during that 18-year streak of no pennants, the franchise was called the New York Highlanders for the first decade.
Thus, the Yankees are in their longest run ever of no pennants.
There’s been enormous pressure on Boone to get the Yankees over the hump every year, and it grows each time another season ends in disappointment.
This year might be Boone’s last chance. His last contract was a three-run deal that runs through 2024 and has a club option for 2025 that may not be exercised unless the Yankees’ season is a lot better than last year’s, especially October.
Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner and general manager Brian Cashman are big fans of Aaron Boone the man and Aaron Boone the manager. They’re sure that Boone checks a lot of boxes that they want in a manager. One big exception, of course, is that Boone’s only World Series jewelry is a loser ring from 2003 when his ALCS Game 7 homer at the old Yankee Stadium won the pennant for the Yankees and extended the Red Sox’s curse for one last year.
A fair question is whether Boone really should be on the hot seat.
Legions of Yankees fans probably would respond to that with a screaming, “Yes!”
Let’s dive into that a little:
You don’t like Boone’s lineup construction or who he brings into pitch at times?
Surely, you know by now that while Boone has the final call, the Yankees’ analytics people have A LOT to do with who plays, where they bat in the order and bullpen moves. And you better believe Boone knows that he can only veto suggestions so often.
Also, know this:
Boone has an edge. He’ll get on a player behind close doors. We almost never hear about it, but it happens.
And know this:
Aaron Judge wants Boone managing. He’ll tell you that Boone has everyone’s respect. He’ll tell you that they play hard for him. He’ll tell you how much everyone appreciates Boone never calling them out publicly, even when it’s deserved.
To the Boone haters who think he’s too laid back, his 33 ejections in 870 games computes to a 3.79 percentage that is a close second among active managers to the Reds’ David Bell (27 of 708, .381 percent).
None of this matters big picture.
Until the Yankees get to another World Series, their manager is going to get a lot of blame. No matter how much he is or isn’t pressured to go by what the analytical data shows, he writes out the lineups. And Boone’s roster, flawed and injured as it’s been in his years, often looks better on paper than the ones that have won World Series since he got the job — the Red Sox, Nationals, Dodgers, Braves, Astros and Rangers.
I asked Boone about job security Wednesday when he participated in a Zoom call with Yankees writers.
Here is how I framed the question:
You always talk about how much you love the job, but it’s New York and the Yankees haven’t won a World Series since ‘09. Do you ever say yourself, ‘Boy, I better get to the World Series this year to save my job?’ The fans … It’s different in New York. Does that ever cross your mind or are you just strictly blinders to it and don’t worry about it?
Not looking annoyed, Boone responded with a little passion in his voice:
“I don’t know that I look at it like that. I’m here to try and win a World Series. All my energy and all my focus is trying to play my part in helping us be the best possible team we can be and our goal is to be a world champion. So I don’t know if I look at it as this has to happen for me to save this.”
Fair enough.
No pennants and no World Series is what fans are mad about.
Let’s quickly go through those playoff exits one by one:
It’s not Boone’s fault that Luis Severino was bombed by the Red Sox in the series-changing 2018 ALDS Game 3 or that seven of the nine regulars hit under .225 in the series.
Boone shouldn’t be second guessed for going to Aroldis Chapman in 2019 ALCS Game 6 because he had a 2.21 ERA that season and an 0.00 ERA in the postseason before Jose Altuve took him deep to win the pennant (maybe with an illegal sign-stealing buzzer taped to his chest).
In 2020, I hated the decision to use Deivi Garcia as an opener and then go with J.A. Happ in Game 2 ALDS, but the Yankees didn’t have enough starting pitching that year and the Rays were the better team throughout that COVID-shortened season.
Boone can’t be blamed for Gerrit Cole’s blowup at Fenway in the 2021 Wild Card game.
In 2022, the Astros were the better team and it showed in their ALCS sweep, one that included the Yankees scoring nine runs in four games while batting .162. You think Boone is responsible for any of that?
Last year?
Boone can’t be held liable for the Yankees sinking to 82-80 with no playoffs after Judge missed two months, which was part of 28 players going on the IL for a total of 38 stints. He can’t be blamed for Carlos Rodon’s 2023 misery, either, or Anthony Rizzo’s concussion, or Giancarlo Stanton’s injury and lack of production.
None of that is on Boone, yet he gets bashed on social media.
This year, the Yankees are starting out playing with a short deck once again. Boone can’t be blamed for the Yankees starting this season with eight players on the IL, the list including No. 1 starter Gerrit Cole, starting third baseman DJ LeMahieu, rookie center fielder phenom Jasson Dominguez, veteran relievers Tommy Kahnle, Scott Effross and Lou Trivino.
Boone could throw out the injury excuse all the time for the Yankees’ failings, and he’d be right. But he doesn’t. He’ll tell you that he expects to win with whatever he has, but he has to say that. He can’t be quoted saying, “What do you expect when this is the best I have?”
With a lot of lineup and rotation plugging, Boone has excellent career managing numbers. His .585 winning percentage managing the Yankees ranks higher than all but one active manager, the Dodgers’ Dave Roberts at .629.
Also, Boone’s winning percentage is better than the 14 Hall of Famer managers who were active at any point in the last 70 years: Al Lopez (.584), Earl Weaver (.583), Walter Alston (.558), Bobby Cox (.556), Sparky Anderson (.545), Leo Durocher (.540), Joe Torre (.538), Tony LaRussa (.536), Whitey Herzog (.532), Tommy Lasorda (.526), Dick Williams (.520), Casey Stengel (.508), Jim Leyland (.506) and Bucky Harris (.493).
He’s also higher than two greats who retired after the 2023 season, Dusty Baker (.540) and Terry Francona (.548), and far above an active skipper who is a Cooperstown lock, Bruce Bochy (.499). Boone is ahead of two Yankees legends, too - Billy Martin (.553) and Lou Piniella (.517).
All of that is regular-season success though.
A stat that matters is his 14-17 postseason record with no championships and no pennants.
Fair or not, if the Yankees don’t go on an October run this year, one that puts them back in the World Series, Boone probably won’t be managing next year.
Who will?
It could be Brad Ausmus, who was brought in to be Boone’s new bench coach after Carlos Mendoza left to manage the Mets.
It could be Buck Showalter, who has allies in the organization plus unfinished Yankees business going back to the 1995 ALDS loss in Seattle that cost him his manager job.
It’s a long shot, but maybe it could be Francona, who turns 65 in April, out of retirement after one year if his health is good..
Or maybe Don Mattingly quits his bench coach job in Toronto to come home and manage the Yankees.
Or ...
Maybe Cashman and Steinbrenner decide to pick up Boone’s option.
Sorry Boone bashers, that’s a possibility, too, because Steinbrenner and Cashman agree that Boone is an asset.
How will this play out? Probably how it went down the last time. Steinbrenner will pay attention to what he’s seeing and hearing all season long, then talk to Cashman and a lot of other execs as well as Judge after, then make a final decision.
Boone’s lived that before as a player and manager, so he’s good at tuning all of it out.
“I’m in competition mode of trying to be the best we can absolutely be,” Boone said. “That’s where my focus lies, and hopefully that’s where our team’s focus lies.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 28, 2024 5:44:18 GMT -5
Opening Day FAQ: Yankees vs. Astros March 27th, 2024 Bryan Hoch
Bryan Hoch @bryanhoch Brian McTaggart
Brian McTaggart @brianmctaggart
The debut of Juan Soto in pinstripes and a new leader in Houston, where Joe Espada takes over at manager for the retired Dusty Baker, highlights the latest chapter in the rivalry between the Yankees and Astros, a pair of American League heavyweights who will open the 2024 season Thursday at Minute Maid Park.
Get tickets
The Yankees acquired Soto from the Padres in a blockbuster deal at the Winter Meetings in December and will slot him second in the lineup ahead of Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton. A three-time All-Star and four-time Silver Slugger, Soto is coming off a 2023 season in which he batted .275/.410/.519 (158 OPS+) in 162 games for San Diego. He hit 35 homers, 32 doubles, a triple and had 109 RBIs.
Here's the latest projection of the Yankees' Opening Day roster Projecting the Astros' Opening Day roster for 2024
The Astros also added a big name from San Diego, signing five-time All-Star closer Josh Hader in January to give them one of the best bullpens in baseball. Houston has one of the baseball’s deepest lineups, anchored by Jose Altuve, Yordan Alvarez, Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker, but has four starting pitchers opening the season on the injured list.
The Yankees went 82-80 last year and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016, though they extended their streak of consecutive seasons with a winning record to 30 (since 1993). The Astros have won six consecutive AL West titles competed in full seasons and are looking for their eighth consecutive trip to the ALCS. Last year, the Astros lost in seven games in the ALCS to the Rangers, dropping all four games at Minute Maid Park.
When is the game and how can I watch it?
Thursday at 3:10 p.m. CT/4:10 p.m. ET (watch live FREE on MLB.TV -- it's the Free Game of the Day). The Astros broadcast will be on Space City Home Network. The Yankees broadcast will be on YES.
What are the likely lineups?
Yankees
1. Gleyber Torres, 2B 2. Juan Soto, RF 3. Aaron Judge, CF 4. Giancarlo Stanton, DH 5. Anthony Rizzo, 1B 6. Anthony Volpe, SS 7. Alex Verdugo, LF 8. Jose Trevino, C 9. Jon Berti, 3B
Astros
1. Jose Altuve, 2B 2. Yordan Alvarez, DH 3. Alex Bregman, 3B 4. Kyle Tucker, RF 5. José Abreu, 1B 6. Yainer Diaz, C 7. Chas McCormick, LF 8. Jeremy Peña, SS 9. Jake Meyers, CF Get the latest from the Yankees
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Who are the starting pitchers?
Yankees
Left-hander Nestor Cortes (5-2, 4.97 ERA in 2023) will make his first career Opening Day start, stepping in for the injured Gerrit Cole. A 36th-round pick in the 2013 MLB Draft out of Hialeah (Fla.) High School, Cortes will become just the fifth pitcher drafted and signed by the Yankees to start a season opener, joining Andy Pettitte (1998), Ron Guidry (1978-80, ’82-84, ’86), Doc Medich (1975) and Stan Bahnsen (1971). Cole was drafted by the Yankees in 2008 but did not sign.
Astros
Left-hander Framber Valdez (12-11, 3.45 ERA) will make his third consecutive Opening Day start for the Astros, tying him with Dallas Keuchel for the most by a southpaw in club history. After going 7-6 with a 2.51 ERA in his first 17 starts last year and making the All-Star team, he was 5-5 with a 4.66 ERA in his final 14 starts, which included an Aug. 1 no-hitter against Cleveland. He lost all three of his starts in the playoffs, posting a 9.00 ERA.
Yankees-Astros Opening Day starting pitchers: Cortes vs. Valdez
How might the bullpens line up after the starter?
Yankees
The Yanks’ bullpen has a few new names, including the additions of left-handers Caleb Ferguson and Victor González, who were acquired in separate trades from the Dodgers. Jonathan Loáisiga is being transitioned to a multi-inning role during the first half, similar to how the Yankees used Michael King early last season. Clay Holmes remains the closer, aiming to replicate the form that prompted his selection as a 2022 All-Star.
Astros
Hader, who signed a five-year deal, will join with former closer Ryan Pressly and Bryan Abreu to give Houston a dominated backend, but Abreu was suspended for the first two games of the season for hitting Adolis García of the Rangers with a pitch in Game 5 of the ALCS. That will leave Houston’s bullpen a man short on Opening Day, putting the onus on Rafael Montero, Brandon Bielak and lefty Bennett Sousa, and others, to pick up the slack.
Any injuries of note?
Yankees
A right elbow injury has knocked Cole out of what would have been his fifth consecutive Opening Day start as a Yankee. The Bombers will also be without DJ LeMahieu, who is beginning the year on the injured list with a bone bruise in his right foot. Anthony Rizzo was sidelined late in camp with a lat issue, but returned to action on Monday in the club’s last spring game.
Astros
Ace right-hander Justin Verlander will start the year on the injured list as he continues to build up from a shoulder issue that put him behind entering camp. Another starting pitcher, José Urquidy, has a right forearm strain and will open the season on the IL. Starters Lance McCullers Jr. and Luis Garcia are both rehabbing from major surgeries and won’t return until midseason.
Who’s hot and who’s not?
Yankees
Torres had a terrific spring from start to finish, batting .356 (16-for-45) with four doubles, three homers and seven RBIs through Monday. Rizzo also looked to be fully recovered from the concussion issues that derailed his ’23 season, batting .389 (14-for-36) with three doubles, two homers and nine RBIs through Monday. Aaron Judge had a quiet spring at the plate, batting .208 (5-for-24) with three doubles through Monday.
Astros
Bregman went 18-for-47 (.383) in Grapefruit League play, including two homers and six RBIs on Saturday against the Mets. Mauricio Dubón (.471) and Tucker (.317) also had strong springs at the plate. Alvarez hit .343 with a homer and eight RBIs and Altuve hit .250 with a homer and five RBIs. Meanwhile, starting pitchers Hunter Brown (3-0, 2.12 ERA) and Ronel Blanco (15 2/3 scoreless innings) had stellar springs.
Anything else fans might want to know?
The only other that time the Astros and Yankees opened the season against each other was in 2016 at Yankee Stadium. … Houston won its first 10 games on Opening Day in the AL before losing to the White Sox last year. … Longtime Astros catcher is Brad Ausmus is the Yankees’ new bench coach.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 28, 2024 5:45:20 GMT -5
Yankees aiming for a return to form in 2024 March 25th, 2024 Bryan Hoch
Bryan Hoch @bryanhoch
0:20
1:42
This story was excerpted from Bryan Hoch’s Yankees Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
MEXICO CITY -- Aaron Judge’s anger and disappointment were barely concealed as he addressed the Yankees’ roster near the end of the 2023 season. Their October calendar was wide open, and for a team that historically celebrates its postseason success so richly, the captain said the outcome was “unacceptable.”
So Judge wasted little time getting to work, taking out his frustrations with the first of thousands of batting practice swings at the Yankees’ training complex in Tampa, Fla. By January, Judge was pleased to see that many of his teammates had heeded his battle cry and joined him within the walls of the facility off Himes Avenue, on a mission to ensure that 2024 ends in much more favorable fashion.
“A lot of guys were embarrassed,” Judge said. “I think it was a wake-up call for a lot of us. Nothing was said; nothing needed to be said. I think just, collectively, as a group we all kind of looked at each other and said, ‘This can’t happen again.’”
As manager Aaron Boone prepares to lead the club for his seventh season in charge, he sees “a very focused group” ready to play its first of 162 regular-season games against the Astros on Thursday afternoon in Houston.
“Across the board, our guys came in ready to go when Spring Training started,” Boone said. “We feel like we have a lot to prove this year, coming off a season where we didn’t make the playoffs. We want to change that. We expect to be in the playoffs and competing for a championship every day. That’s the mindset of the players.
“We will be missing our ace, Gerrit Cole, at least for the first couple of months. But the number of people that stepped up, we feel like it’s given us good options to fill that void while he’s out. I’m excited about those players that have emerged. It’s a very focused group and ready to go compete for a championship starting on Thursday.”
What needs to go right? The Yankees recognized that their lineup had significant issues coming off a season in which they ranked 25th in runs scored. First, relying solely upon Judge to replicate his 62-homer performance in 2022 was probably not a good long-term plan, and second, the left-right balance that Boone values was noticeably absent. Enter Juan Soto. The Yanks paid a significant price to import the sport’s best left-handed hitter, and his arrival adds a necessary dimension to the offense. The one-two punch of Soto and Judge should team for video game numbers. Bounce-back seasons from Anthony Rizzo, Giancarlo Stanton and DJ LeMahieu will also be important, especially while the Yanks wait for Cole to return.
Great unknown We see the potential on paper, especially since Boone notes that Soto perfectly represents the “grind-it-out” attitude the Bombers seek from their lineup. But every injury sets off new flashing red lights on a veteran roster -- Cole could miss the first two months with a sore right elbow, LeMahieu will begin the year on the injured list with a bruised right foot and Judge had to miss nine days of camp with abdominal discomfort. Missing Judge and Rizzo for large portions of the season sunk their chances in 2023. They need their big names in action to get where they want to be.
Team MVP will be ... Juan Soto As guest instructor Bernie Williams recently noted, “If spring ended a week before, he still would’ve been in midseason form.” Soto’s diligent daily work has been impressive to watch, and the 25-year-old seems primed to drive the ball through the wall on every swing. Soto believes that playing in New York will be “electric” and that he will feed off the crowds, citing the large population of Dominicans who figure to make Yankee Stadium a party zone about 81 times this season. With free agency looming, he’s got about 500 million reasons to have a great year. Get the latest from the Yankees
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Team Cy Young will be ... Gerrit Cole Who else? The anxiety and tension that Cole experienced throughout his cross-country flight lifted as supplanted by relief as he walked out of the Los Angeles offices of Dr. Neal ElAttrache on March 14 after learning that Tommy John surgery had been ruled out. ElAttrache concurred with the Yankees’ diagnosis, which was that Cole’s ulnar collateral ligament remains intact and that he may be able to rejoin the big league rotation in late May or early June. That’s a win for the Yankees. Cole still needs to go through another Spring Training, but the hope is that he can return to Cy Young form once he's ready.
Bold prediction The Yankees will win the American League East. The PECOTA prediction formulas have the Yankees pegged for 92.7 wins, putting them ahead of Toronto (87.9), Tampa Bay (87.1), Baltimore (86.5) and Boston (78.1). The computer probably isn’t respecting the Orioles enough after their 101-win performance in 2023, but the Yankees absolutely have the star power and talent to push their win total into the mid-90s. Late last season, general manager Brian Cashman told a group of reporters that none of them would have predicted the Bombers’ 82-80 finish; he was right. On paper, this Yankees team should get to the postseason. Anything less, as Judge would tell you, is unacceptable.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 28, 2024 13:58:07 GMT -5
Yankees Place Gerrit Cole On 60-Day Injured List
By Darragh McDonald | March 28, 2024 at 11:35am CDT
The Yankees announced a series of Opening Day roster moves today, with right-hander Gerrit Cole placed on the 60-day injured list. His 40-man roster spot will go to right-hander Nick Burdi, who was previously reported to have made the club.
Over recent weeks, Cole and the Yankees got a big scare when he was dealing with some elbow issues and was sent for testing. While this led to all kinds of panic about possible surgery and lengthy absences, the eventual news ended up being on the mild side compared to those doomsday scenarios. He was diagnosed with nerve inflammation and edema and recommended for non-surgical rehab.
That’s obviously a better outcome than sitting out the entire year or longer, but he’s still going to miss some time. His return will depend on how he progresses in the coming weeks but it’s been suggested he’s at least a month or two away from coming back. This move means he’ll be ineligible to be activated until late May, so the Yankees evidently don’t think he’ll be able to return before then.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 29, 2024 5:11:15 GMT -5
Offseason In Review: New York Yankees
By Mark Polishuk | March 28, 2024 at 6:00pm CDT
The Yankees’ offseason was highlighted by a blockbuster trade, but some major injury concerns have threatened to undermine New York’s work in upgrading the roster.
Major League Signings
Marcus Stroman, SP: Two years, $37MM (Stroman receives $18MM player option for 2026 with at least 140 IP in 2026) Luke Weaver, SP/RP: One year, $2MM ($2.5MM club option for 2025) Lou Trivino, RP: One year, $1.5MM ($5MM club option for 2025) Cody Poteet, SP/RP: One year, $750K (split contract, Poteet earns $200K in minors)
2023 spending: $23.25MM Total spending: $41.25MM
Trades & Claims
Acquired OF Juan Soto and OF Trent Grisham from Padres for SP Michael King, C Kyle Higashioka, SP Jhony Brito, SP Randy Vasquez, minor league SP Drew Thorpe Acquired OF Alex Verdugo from Red Sox for RP Greg Weissert and minor league RHPs Richard Fitts and Nicholas Judice Acquired RP Caleb Ferguson from Dodgers for RP Matt Gage and minor league RHP Christian Zazueta Acquired IF/OF Jon Berti from Marlins for C Ben Rortvedt (to Tampa) and minor league OF John Cruz (to Miami) as part of a three-team trade with Marlins and Rays. The Marlins also acquire minor league OF Shane Sasaki in the deal. Acquired RP Victor Gonzalez and minor league IF Jorbit Vivas from Dodgers for minor league IF Trey Sweeney Acquired SP/RP Cody Morris from Guardians for OF Estevan Florial Acquired minor league OFs Jace Avina and Brian Sanchez from Brewers for 1B/OF Jake Bauers Acquired RP Clayton Andrews from Brewers for minor league RHP Joshua Quezada, Acquired international bonus pool money from Pirates for OF Billy McKinney Acquired cash considerations from Orioles for RP Matt Krook Claimed OF Oscar Gonzalez off waivers from Guardians Claimed IF/OF Jahmai Jones off waivers from Brewers Claimed IF Jeter Downs off waivers from Nationals Claimed IF Jordan Groshans off waivers from Marlins Claimed RP McKinley Moore off waivers from Phillies
Notable Minor League Signings
Nick Burdi (contract selected), Kevin Smith, Greg Allen, Luis Torrens, Anthony Misiewicz, Dennis Santana, Josh VanMeter, Jose Rojas, Luis Gonzalez, Duane Underwood Jr., Yerry De Los Santos, Tanner Tully
Notable Losses
King, Higoshioka, Brito, Vasquez, Thorpe, Weissert, Rortvedt, Florial, Bauers, McKinney, Luis Severino, Wandy Peralta, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Frankie Montas, Keynan Middleton, Domingo German, Franchy Cordero, Jimmy Cordero, Ryan Weber, Matt Bowman
Juan Soto and Aaron Judge hitting back-to-back is a pitcher’s worst nightmare, and having Gleyber Torres and a healthy Anthony Rizzo bookend those two elite sluggers in the lineup should also cause a few sleepless evenings. Between this impressive top of the lineup, and fresh input from newly-hired hitting coach James Rowson and assistant hitting coach Pat Roessler, there is plenty of hope that the Yankees can improve upon their strangely punchless offense from the 2023 season.
Soto is slated to hit free agency next winter as he heads into his age-26 season, and the outfielder and agent Scott Boras surely have an eye towards the biggest non-Shohei Ohtani contract in baseball history. Since the Yankees are one of the few teams who can afford such an expenditure, it’s certainly possible this won’t be Soto’s only season in the Bronx, but New York paid quite a premium for just one guaranteed year of Soto’s services.
Kyle Higashioka may have been expendable within the Yankees’ catching depth chart, but the real score for the Padres in the Soto trade was four talented and controllable young pitchers. Michael King emerged as an intriguing starter with New York last year and looks to step right into San Diego’s rotation — at worst, King can be a lockdown reliever for the Padres if he doesn’t stick as a starting pitcher. Drew Thorpe is a top-100 prospect who the Padres flipped to the White Sox as part of the Dylan Cease trade package. Jhony Brito and Randy Vasquez are also big league-ready arms and one of them likely would’ve won a rotation job had Cease not been acquired.
Trent Grisham was the other player acquired from San Diego, and though he is only earning $5.5MM via an arbitration-avoiding deal, his inclusion in the trade may have been a bit of a salary dump from a Padres deal that was eager to payroll this winter. (Obviously Soto was the pricier figure in this equation, as his $31MM salary for 2024 is the highest ever given to a an arbitration player.) Grisham is an outstanding defender whose hitting has dropped off over the last two seasons, and he seems to be ticketed for at least backup duty within an intriguing Yankees outfield mix.
The first-choice outfield alignment looks to be Soto in right field, Judge in center field, and new acquisition Alex Verdugo as the left field starter at least against right-handed pitching. When a southpaw is on the mound, the Yankees will probably use Judge in left field and Grisham will step into center field. Giancarlo Stanton will get most of the DH at-bats and might get some occasional looks in the outfield, though as GM Brian Cashman rather bluntly stated last November, it may simply be unlikely that Stanton can stay healthy for the entire season. Judge figures to get a good dose of DH usage regardless of Stanton’s availability, since one of the Yankees’ chief priorities this year is keeping Judge healthy amidst the added physical strain of regular center field work.
A rare trade between the Yankees and Red Sox brought Verdugo into the fold, and between Verdugo and Soto, New York now has two legitimate left-handed bats to help balance out a lineup that was overloaded with right-handed hitters. Verdugo has been exactly a league-average (100 wRC+, 100 OPS+) hitter over the last two seasons, and given the whispers of behind-the-scenes discord with Boston manager Alex Cora, a change of scenery might be just what Verdugo needs to get on track.
An in-form Verdugo, a healthy Stanton, and steps forward from highly-touted youngsters Anthony Volpe and Austin Wells would suddenly make the lineup look a lot more Bronx Bomber-esque, rather than simply “improved.” A rebound year from DJ LeMahieu would also help, but the infielder’s 2024 season has gotten off to a rough start with a bone bruise that will begin his season on the injured list.
The Yankees had been looking for infield and utility depth even before LeMahieu got hurt, as Oswald Peraza is facing an extended absence while recovering from a shoulder strain. The need was finally filled just yesterday when Jon Berti was acquired as part of a three-team trade with the Marlins and Rays. Berti brings a ton of speed and defensive versatility to the roster, and his ability to draw walks and make contact has led to some occasional above-average offensive production over his six MLB seasons.
Landing Berti came at the cost of catcher Ben Rortvedt and minor league outfielder John Cruz, though New York is confident that Wells is ready to take on a larger share of the catching duties with Jose Trevino. Wells’ defense could be the x-factor in whether or not he can move into a full platoon or even a playing-time edge over Trevino, and gauging by Wells’ minor league numbers, his bat is at least ready for the Show. In other bench news, waiver claim Jahmai Jones won a spot on the Opening Day roster, and he brings more multi-positional utility to the mix.
The aforementioned search for a utilityman type led the Yankees to explore such free agents as Enrique Hernandez, Tony Kemp, Amed Rosario, and old friends Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Gio Urshela. In terms of position players, the Yankees made some more high-profile explorations, as the team had interest in the likes of Cody Bellinger, Jung Hoo Lee, Jeimer Candelario, Kevin Kiermaier, and probably several other free agents whose talks with the Bombers weren’t publicized.
Since the Soto trade was completed in early December, it seems as though the Yankees decided relatively early to go with the one-year strike for Soto rather than a longer-term deal with Bellinger or even Lee as their major offensive addition of the winter. Cashman’s front office couldn’t have known at the time that Bellinger’s market would be limited enough that he would settle for an opt-out laden three-year, $80MM deal with the Cubs, and naturally it makes sense that the Yankees would want to pounce on Soto and solidify the lineup as early as possible. It’s easy to say this with hindsight being 20-20, but if New York had been comfortable enough to try and wait Bellinger out, the team could’ve landed a big bat at a lower average annual value than Soto, and King and company might still be on the roster.
Or, the Yankees might have flipped King, Thorpe, Brito, or Vasquez in another trade, perhaps for a frontline starter with more big league experience. There is some irony in Thorpe being a centerpiece of the Padres’ Cease deal given how the Yankees themselves talked at length with the White Sox about Cease, but it seemed like Chicago’s insistence on landing Spencer Jones in any Cease trade package was a deal-breaker for New York.
Even though offense was the team’s larger need heading into the offseason, the Yankees were reportedly involved in the bidding for several starters and relievers, on both the free agent and trade fronts. Beyond Cease, the long list of pitchers the Yankees at least checked in on included Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Corbin Burnes, Shane Bieber, Jesus Luzardo, Aaron Nola, Shota Imanaga, Josh Hader, Yariel Rodriguez, Michael Lorenzen, Jordan Hicks, Robert Stephenson, Hector Neris, Phil Maton, Ryan Brasier, and two of New York’s own free agents in Wandy Peralta (who signed with the Padres) and Keynan Middleton (with the Cardinals).
Yamamoto was one of the chief targets, and was reportedly offered a ten-year, $300MM deal (with two opt-out clauses) to begin his Major League tenure in the Bronx. Yamamoto passed on that contract for a 12-year, $325MM deal with the Dodgers, as his decision might’ve been influenced by such factors as a big $50MM signing bonus, the flexibility offered by the six-man Los Angeles rotation, and of course the chance to play with a Japanese baseball icon like Ohtani.
Jordan Montgomery was another former Yankee who drew attention from his old club, as the Bombers were said to be in on the left-hander up until the moment Montgomery finally landed with the Diamondbacks for a one-year deal with a vesting player option for 2025. Blake Snell was on the Yankees’ radar for much of the offseason, and the team’s reported six-year, $150MM offer to Snell in January stands as the largest offer known to have been on the table throughout Snell’s own extended stay in free agency. The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner ended up signing a two-year, $62MM deal with the Giants that includes an opt-out next winter, as the Bombers didn’t revisit their six-year offer after moving onto Marcus Stroman as a rotation alternative.
Stroman inked a two-year deal worth $37MM in guaranteed money, and another $18MM could become available via a vesting player option for the 2026 season. With two All-Star nods and a history of success in the AL East on his resume, Stroman is a nice get for the Yankees, and his grounder-heavy approach should play well with New York’s solid infield defense. Injuries marred the back half of what was looking like a great 2023 campaign for Stroman with the Cubs, however, and adding to the list of health issues facing the Yankees rotation.
Nestor Cortes and Carlos Rodon combined for only 127 2/3 innings last year, leaving both starters in pursuit of bounce-backs. Clarke Schmidt pitched decently well in his first full MLB season, and Luis Gil pitched well enough in Spring Training that New York will use Gil as the fifth starter, though Gil himself has only 33 1/3 career innings in the majors and missed all of 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.
The biggest question mark of all, however, is one of the Yankees’ most indispensable players. Gerrit Cole will open the season on the 60-day injured list, meaning he won’t be an option until at least late May as he recovers from nerve inflammation and edema in his throwing elbow. Missing at least two months is naturally still an infinitely preferable scenario to the initial worry that Cole might need some kind of season-ending surgery, yet the Yankees still have to navigate a big chunk of the season without arguably the sport’s best pitcher. It isn’t a coincidence that the team’s interest in Snell and Montgomery seemed to spark back up after the news broke of Cole’s injury, but it looks like the Yankees will rely on Gil and their internal arms to hold the fort until Cole is able to return.
Even a late strike for Snell or Montgomery at a relative discount price would have had serious financial implications. RosterResource’s projections put the Yankees’ payroll at $299.7MM, and their luxury tax number at just over $310.5MM. The latter figure puts New York well over the highest tax threshold of $297MM, after the team just barely stayed under the $297MM number in 2023. Since 2024 will be the Yankees’ third consecutive year of surpassing the luxury tax, it all adds up a whopping 110% tax added to any further payroll additions the Yankees might make.
It’s perhaps a reach to say that a team with such a gigantic payroll is hugely concerned with an even larger tax bill, as there’s certainly more pressure for the Yankees to get back into contention. Yet, the Bombers did keep their free agent spending relatively in check, and the $30MM average annual values offered to Yamamoto and Snell seemed to represent something of a limit to how much New York was willing to offer. Soto, Torres, Verdugo, Clay Holmes, and (pending a club option) Rizzo are all free agents next winter, representing some significant money coming off the books for the Yankees as they decide how to reload for 2025.
Though the relief corps was pretty successful last year, New York heads into Opening Day with some noteworthy changes in the bullpen. With Peralta, Middleton, and former relief stalwart King all gone, the Yankees will look to make up those innings with Caleb Ferguson and Victor Gonzalez (both acquired in separate trades with the Dodgers) and minor league signing Nick Burdi. Luke Weaver was re-signed to a low-cost guaranteed deal, and Cody Morris, Cody Poteet, and any number of other pitchers already in the farm system or signed to minor league contracts could emerge as the season progresses. The Yankees and pitching coach Matt Blake have developed a knack for getting good results out of unheralded bullpen options, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see some other unexpected name or a pitcher not even currently in the organization emerging for some high-leverage work later on in the season.
Between the flurry of additions big and small, it was a busy winter in the Bronx, which isn’t surprising for a Yankees team coming off a rare non-playoff season. Players and team executives either hinted or outright stated last fall that some changes had to be made to get the club back into contention, extending from both roster moves to more clubhouse-related issues like Judge’s desire to see a difference in both the type of analytical information presented to the players, and in how this info is presented. These types of alterations aren’t as public as the sight of Soto wearing Yankees pinstripes, of course, and despite all of the roster moves and internal fixes, ultimately a lot of the Yankees’ success in 2024 might simply hinge on Cole’s health.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 29, 2024 5:18:15 GMT -5
Soto authors 'Yankee classic' with game-saving OF assist Bombers back new slugger's heroics with largest Opening Day comeback since 1950 March 28th, 2024 Bryan Hoch
Bryan Hoch @bryanhoch
HOUSTON -- Great players often do great things, so it was no surprise to see Juan Soto emphatically stamp his first Opening Day as a member of the Yankees. That the moment would be powered by his arm, not the game’s most potent left-handed stroke, was a twist even his teammates couldn’t have seen coming.
Soto charged Kyle Tucker’s ninth-inning single to right field and delivered a strong one-hop throw to home plate, cutting down Mauricio Dubón's attempt to score the potential tying run as the Yankees held on for a season-opening 5-4 victory over the Astros on Thursday afternoon at Minute Maid Park.
“I worked all Spring Training long on my arm and the throws from right field,” Soto said. “It’s just a great feeling. It just tells you I'm going in the right way with what I've been doing, and I'm more than excited to keep doing it.”
Soto’s toss bounced to catcher Jose Trevino, who was positioned up the third-base line in fair territory, then dove back to intercept the sliding Dubón. As the Astros challenged, asking umpires to check the tag and for interference, Soto watched a scoreboard replay and told teammate Aaron Judge they had nothing to worry about.
“In that situation, you’ve got to come up throwing. You’ve got to save the game,” Judge said. “The most important thing is getting the ball. A lot of people skip that step and it’s where it causes a lot of issues. He was nice and easy. You get the ball and then trust it, let it rip. We do a thousand throws throughout the offseason and Spring Training. It’s really muscle memory.”
“You ask any catcher, it’s a tough play,” Trevino said. “I thought [Soto] had a good jump on it, came in and put a good throw in a nice area where I could catch it and put the tag on him.”
The defensive sparkler came four innings after Soto collected his first hit and RBI with his new club. Soto’s bases-loaded RBI single off Houston starter Framber Valdez in the fifth sparked a three-run rally, which also featured a run-scoring hit-by-pitch of Anthony Rizzo and Anthony Volpe’s bases-loaded walk.
Oswaldo Cabrera hit a game-tying homer off Rafael Montero in the sixth inning, and Alex Verdugo lifted a go-ahead sacrifice fly against Ryan Pressly in the seventh.
“We didn’t really get that big hit today, but you felt the bats,” manager Aaron Boone said. “Those were heavy, laden at-bats. It wore Framber down, made him work really hard, got him out of there. We were able to put enough on the board.”
Verdugo also made a nice catch to rob Tucker of an extra-base hit in the seventh, helping lead the Yankees to their largest come-from-behind Opening Day victory since overcoming a nine-run deficit against the Red Sox on April 18, 1950.
“That was a Yankee classic right there: ‘Juan’s Debut,’” Judge said. Get the latest from the Yankees
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New York had to punch back after Nestor Cortes spotted the Astros four early runs, tossing 33 pitches in a three-run first inning and surrendering a long Jake Meyers homer in the second. Cortes and Trevino adjusted their game plan from that point on, focusing on the top of the strike zone as the lefty retired 12 of the last 13 men he faced.
“I remember coming in the second inning and [pitching coach] Matt Blake telling me, ‘Just hold the rope. We’re going to get some runs across,’” Cortes said. “I just focused on myself to give innings, to get as many outs as I can.”
Said Astros manager Joe Espada: “[Cortes] kept pounding the zone and making pitches. We expanded our zone to try to do a little bit too much there.”
A three-time All-Star, four-time Silver Slugger and 2022 Home Run Derby champion, Soto has been far more celebrated for his thundering bat than any run-saving contributions. After spending a spring working alongside Soto, Judge remarked, “I don’t know where that [reputation] came from. He’s been a great defender the whole time I’ve seen him.”
“I've got to do stuff so they can start talking, stuff like I did today,” Soto said. “I know they're going to be talking about my defense later on.”
Perhaps Thursday’s performance will be a sign of things to come for Soto and the Yankees. This team has no affinity for Minute Maid Park, where they’ve sustained heartbreak and disappointment too many times, including season-ending playoff losses in 2017 and ‘19.
Yet Soto has no memories of a teary CC Sabathia or a dejected Brett Gardner pacing the pin-drop silent visiting clubhouse, nor of an anguished Judge attempting to explain October shortcomings. When Soto fought the Astros in the postseason, he won, helping his Nationals to a title in 2019. No wonder Soto believes these Yankees can do the same.
"Not only Opening Day. All year long,” Soto said. “This is a great win.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 29, 2024 5:20:41 GMT -5
Injuries & Moves: Cole to 60-day IL; 4 others placed on IL March 28th, 2024
10-day/15-day IL
INF DJ LeMahieu (bruised right foot) Expected return: TBD The Yankees placed LeMahieu on the injured list on Opening Day, retroactive to March 25. LeMahieu has been out of action since fouling a ball off his foot March 16. Manager Aaron Boone said that LeMahieu is dealing with swelling in the foot that has made it difficult to perform baseball activities. LeMahieu remained behind in Tampa, Fla., and is scheduled to undergo another MRI on March 29. (Last updated: March 28)
INF Oswald Peraza (right sub-scapular strain) Expected return: April/May The Yankees placed Peraza on the injured list on Opening Day, retroactive to March 25. Peraza has been feeling “really good” and is expected to resume hitting in the coming days, manager Aaron Boone said on March 20. Boone added that a more complete test will come when Peraza resumes throwing. He’d initially been advised to take three to four weeks off without tossing.
Peraza underwent an MRI on March 7 and a dye-contrast arthrogram on March 8, which showed a strain in the 23-year-old’s shoulder. His shoulder issues began on Feb. 25, though he returned to the lineup on March 5, playing two games before being shut down again. (Last updated: March 28)
RHP Tommy Kahnle (right shoulder inflammation) Expected return: Possibly April 9 The Yankees placed Kahnle on the injured list on Opening Day, retroactive to March 25, though they have expressed hope that he may be able to return in the minimum 15 days. Kahnle’s buildup moved a bit slower than expected this spring due to the right shoulder inflammation that ended his 2023 season, as it delayed his winter throwing program. Kahnle said that he pushed his work back from Thanksgiving to Dec. 12 due to lingering discomfort. (Last updated: March 28) Get the latest from the Yankees
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RHP McKinley Moore (right knee discomfort) Expected return: Possibly April Claimed from the Phillies in February, Moore has yet to see game action due to a pre-existing knee injury. Moore said on March 20 that he is pain-free in his bullpens and is looking forward to facing hitters. The Yankees placed Moore on the injured list on Opening Day, retroactive to March 25. (Last updated: March 28) 60-day IL
RHP Gerrit Cole (right elbow discomfort) Expected return: Possibly June The Yankees placed Cole on the 60-day injured list on Opening Day, retroactive to March 25, so the earliest possible date he could be activated would be May 24. Cole said on March 28 that he is feeling good in his exercise/rehab program and was about a week away from resuming throwing.
Diagnosed with nerve inflammation and edema in his right elbow, Cole has been told that he will resume throwing at some point in early April. Cole has been keeping his arm live during that time with plyometric exercises.
Cole underwent an MRI exam on March 11 after relaying difficulty bouncing back between his spring outings, likening his level of fatigue to what he usually would feel after throwing 100 pitches during the regular season. Cole had more testing performed on March 12, then traveled to Los Angeles on March 13 to visit Dr. Neal ElAttrache on March 14. ElAttrache confirmed that there was no damage to Cole’s ulnar collateral ligament. Cole was told that he can treat his ailing right elbow conservatively through rest and rehab, with the hope of returning to the rotation in 10-12 weeks.
“I think we’ve determined that we just got a little too hot a little too quick this spring,” Cole said on March 16. “We progressed through the normal recovery cycle, but at a certain time, we didn’t get back to the baseline which was our target. At that point, it was time to see what was going on.” (Last updated: March 28)
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 29, 2024 13:13:11 GMT -5
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 29, 2024 18:53:48 GMT -5
Yankees Acquire JT Brubaker From Pirates
By Darragh McDonald | March 29, 2024 at 5:50pm CDT
The Yankees have acquired right-hander JT Brubaker and international bonus pool space from the Pirates for a player to be named later, per announcements from both clubs. Prior to the official announcements, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reported on that Brubaker was going to the Yanks for a PTBNL. The righty is on the 60-day injured list, recovering from last year’s Tommy John surgery. He won’t need a roster spot with the Yankees but won’t be available to them immediately. Per Stumpf, via Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, Brubaker is targeting a return around the All-Star break. He’s controllable via arbitration through the 2025 season. The bonus pool money is worth $550K, per Francys Romero.
Brubaker, 30, missed the entire 2023 season after requiring Tommy John in mid-April. In the three preceding seasons, he had been one of the steadier arms on Pittsburgh’s staff. He tossed 315 2/3 innings over the 2020 to 2022 campaigns, one of which was shortened by the pandemic, with an earned run average of 4.99.
Though that ERA may not be terribly exciting, it’s possible that it doesn’t represent his true skill level, with some underlying metrics painting a more favorable picture. He struck out 23.3% of batters faced in that stretch and walked 7.8%, with both of those numbers being slightly better than average for a starting pitcher in the modern game. His 44% ground ball rate was also right around typical league average.
The discrepancy may be down to luck, as his .313 batting average on balls in play and 70.1% strand rate have both been on the unfortunate side of par. ERA estimators like his 4.43 FIP and 4.04 SIERA suggest he may have deserved better. That was especially true in 2022, when he had a 4.69 ERA but a 3.92 FIP and 3.97 SIERA.
But it’s also possible the difference is down to Brubaker’s struggles with lefties, something explored by MLBTR’s Anthony Franco prior to Brubaker’s surgery. He only throws his changeup about 5.5% of the time and hasn’t had great results with it, meaning he doesn’t have a great weapon for tackling lefty hitters. They have hit .269/.339/.481 against him, compared to a line of .272/.342/.391 from righty-swinging opponents.
Whether the Yankees can help Brubaker find another gear remains to be seen, but there’s likely some appeal even if he remains a back-of-the-rotation kind of guy. The Yankees were looking for starting pitching this offseason, even after signing Marcus Stroman. Their need for rotation reinforcements was only increased with the recent news that Gerrit Cole is going to miss some time with an elbow issue.
Cole and Brubaker may be on somewhat similar timelines, as Cole was also placed on the 60-day IL, putting him on the shelf until at least late May but with an uncertain timeline after that. Brubaker won’t be able to help out during Cole’s absence but other injuries could crop up throughout the season that could require reinforcements. The Yankees currently have Stroman, Nestor Cortes and Carlos Rodón in three rotation spots, all three of whom missed significant time last year. Luis Gil won a rotation spot out of camp despite missing most of the past two seasons recovering from his own Tommy John surgery.
Brubaker comes into 2024 with exactly four years of service time. He first qualified for arbitration going into 2023 and earned a salary of $2.275MM. After sitting out the whole campaign, he agreed to the same mark this year, with one more arbitration season remaining.
For the Bucs, they were looking at another season and a half of Brubaker’s services, including next year and the post-All-Star portion of 2024. Once healthy, he would have been entering a rotation mix that currently consists of Mitch Keller, Martín Pérez, Marco Gonzales, Jared Jones and Bailey Falter, but prospects like Paul Skenes and Quinn Priester might be in there by midseason. Bubba Chandler will be a bit behind that group and Johan Oviedo, who will miss 2024 due to his own Tommy John, will be back in the picture next year.
General manager Ben Cherington spoke to Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, saying that the club preferred to get something in return now. That return is unknown at this time but will become more clear when the PTBNL is revealed. In the meantime, they will save a small amount of money.
The Yanks will be taking on slightly more than the Bucs are saving, since they are over the fourth line of the competitive balance tax and a third-time payor. That means they are paying a 110% tax on any money they add to the payroll at this point. On top of Brubaker’s $2.275MM salary, they will also have to pay $2.5025MM in taxes.
If Brubaker is healthy in a few months but the Yankee rotation is in decent shape, he has a couple of options and could be sent to Triple-A. That could provide the club with some extra depth, it could also give them an extra year of control. As mentioned, Brubaker is coming into 2024 with exactly four years of service time. He’s currently accruing more service time while on the 60-day IL but an optional assignment of a few weeks would prevent him from getting to the five-year mark this year.
Regardless of how that plays out, the Yankees are adding some rotation depth for the latter half of this year and for the future as well. Additionally, they’ve added some unknown amount of international bonus pool space. The Bucs have saved a bit of money and bolstered their system with another player who is presumably younger and more controllable than Brubaker, though the details of their return have not yet emerged.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 30, 2024 5:02:29 GMT -5
'It's just two games' -- but it's two great games for Cabrera Second-year player keys Yanks' second straight win with first four-hit game of career 2:45 AM ADT Bryan Hoch
Bryan Hoch @bryanhoch
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HOUSTON -- The smile seemed just a bit brighter for Oswaldo Cabrera as the Yankees’ happiest player savored the biggest offensive night of his young career. Though a fine-tuned swing is fueling this early success, he also understands there is more to do.
Cabrera stroked a career-high four hits and drove in three runs, helping the Yankees continue a strong start to their season by rallying for a 7-1 victory over the Astros on Friday evening at Minute Maid Park.
“I’m so happy for it,” Cabrera said. “We’ve been working during Spring Training on good at-bats, and I’ve felt good for a couple of games. It’s just two games; we’ve got too many games [to come], so I’ve just got to keep working on that.”
Since getting the Opening Day nod at third base in place of the injured DJ LeMahieu, Cabrera has gone 6-for-9 (.667) through the season’s first two games, carrying over offensive changes that helped the 25-year-old wrap his spring on a 9-for-24 (.375) hot streak.
It hadn’t looked promising in the early going, when Cabrera managed just one hit in his first 23 exhibition at-bats, placing him in danger of beginning the season back in the Minors. But Cabrera’s “tale of two springs,” as manager Aaron Boone described it, is coming with a satisfying ending.
“He’s delivered in these first two games; he’s been right in the middle of everything,” Boone said. “It’s so good to see him swinging the bat like this and contributing offensively like this, because then he becomes so valuable. It’s great to see him reaping some benefits from a lot of the hard work he’s put in the last few weeks.”
Cabrera knocked a run-scoring single in the seventh before Juan Soto worked a bases-loaded walk to give New York the lead. It was part of a robust opening act in a new uniform for Soto, who has reached base safely in seven of his first 10 plate appearances.
That patient, grind-it-out quality was expected, but Soto’s defense has been better than advertised, including a sliding catch on Friday. As Yankees starter Carlos Rodón quipped, “I think we signed him for his defense at this point.”
“It’s really cool to see those words and improvement in the game. Everything is just pretty nice for me,” Soto said.
Largely handcuffed over six dominant frames by Houston’s Cristian Javier, the Yankees peppered the bullpen while taking advantage of sloppy play. Shortstop Jeremy Peña and pitcher Parker Mushinski committed errors on back-to-back plays in the eighth, producing two more Yankees runs.
Cabrera followed with a two-run single up the middle, making him the seventh player in franchise history to collect six hits through the season’s first two games and the first since Hideki Matsui in 2005.
“He’s great,” Soto said. “I’m more than happy for him. He’s a guy who’s been grinding throughout the Minor Leagues. Coming up to the league and doing what he’s been doing, we all know it’s early, but I’m more than excited to keep seeing him.”
Aiming to rebound after an underwhelming debut season in New York, Rodón labored through 4 1/3 innings, as best exhibited by the sweat-soaked uniform jersey he stripped off after the third inning.
Though Rodón navigated heavy traffic in his 87-pitch effort (54 for strikes), he held the line, limiting the Astros to one run on five hits and three walks.
“I’m happy we came up with a win,” Rodón said. “I know there’s room for improvement throughout the week leading into the next start, but I’ll walk away today happy that the Yankees won, for sure.”
Visits to Houston usually spell heartbreak, but the Yankees have now won five straight games at Minute Maid Park dating to last season. How encouraging have these first 18 innings been? Even the injury report, severely unkind over the past several seasons, offered relief.
Soto rolled his ankle running the bases in the third inning but remained in the game, promising to be ready to play on Saturday. Meanwhile, Gleyber Torres exhaled after X-rays on his bruised right thumb -- hit by a seventh-inning Tayler Scott fastball -- came back negative.
“All of my teammates are doing big things,” Cabrera said. “We’re trying to show that we never give up. That’s a good thing.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 30, 2024 5:03:20 GMT -5
Yanks add Brubaker in deal with Pirates March 29th, 2024 Bryan Hoch
Bryan Hoch @bryanhoch
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HOUSTON -- The Yankees acquired right-handed pitcher JT Brubaker and international signing bonus money from the Pirates on Friday in exchange for a player to be named later.
Brubaker, 30, is on the 60-day injured list while recovering from Tommy John surgery performed on April 12, 2023. Brubaker resumed throwing from a sloped mound earlier this month and is targeting the All-Star break for a return to the Majors.
“I know he did some decent things as a starter in '21 and '22 with the Pirates,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “I know we like his arm.”
Brubaker, who was drafted by the Pirates in the sixth round of the 2015 MLB Draft from the University of Akron, has pitched in 63 Major League games (61 starts) from 2020-22, compiling a career record of 9-28 with a 4.99 ERA.
In 2022, Brubaker was 3-12 with a 4.69 ERA in 28 starts for Pittsburgh, a season in which he posted career highs in starts, innings pitched (144) and strikeouts (147).
This marks the fourth time in the past three years that the Yankees and Pirates have connected on a trade. New York acquired closer Clay Holmes from Pittsburgh in July 2021 for infielder/outfielders Diego Castillo and Hoy Park.
The Pirates also purchased left-hander Manny Bañuelos from the Yankees in July 2022 and outfielder Billy McKinney in December '23.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 30, 2024 5:04:19 GMT -5
Injuries & Moves: Torres, Soto appear OK 2:53 AM ADT
MLB.com
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LATEST NEWS
March 29: 2B Gleyber Torres hit by pitch; OF Juan Soto twists left ankle The Yankees had a couple of injury scares to significant stars during Friday’s 7-1 win over the Astros. Torres was hit on the right thumb by a Tayler Scott fastball in the top of the seventh inning. Torres exited in the home half of the inning, and the team said that X-rays were clean.
“I wasn’t able to throw the ball very well, so I didn’t want to mess around with that,” Torres said. “I just tried to make the best decision for the team.”
Soto twisted his ankle while running the bases in the third inning. He was briefly attended to on the field before the next half-inning, but he remained in the game.
“Definitely at the moment it hurt, but as the game goes, it felt better,” Soto said. “I’m playing [Saturday].”
March 29: Acquired RHP JT Brubaker and international signing bonus money from the Pirates in exchange for a player to be named later Brubaker, 30, is currently on the 60-day injured list while recovering from Tommy John surgery performed on April 12, 2023. His target date for return is around the All-Star break. In 63 Major League games (61 starts) from 2020-22, Brubaker has compiled a career record of 9-28 with a 4.99 ERA. More >
• All Yankees transactions INJURY UPDATES 10-day/15-day IL
INF DJ LeMahieu (bruised right foot) Expected return: TBD LeMahieu has remained behind at the Yankees’ spring facilities in Tampa, Fla., and he underwent another MRI on March 29 as he continues to have difficulty getting back to game speed. He has been largely out of action since fouling a ball off his foot on March 16. Manager Aaron Boone said that LeMahieu was able to throw and hit off a tee on March 28, but he is still experiencing discomfort.
“Just checking with him yesterday, the last couple of days have been mainly treatment and not a lot of volume,” Boone said on March 29. “It seemed like he was feeling a little better today than yesterday, so we’ll see how the reimaging looks. Hopefully, he’ll be able to start ramping up again.”
The Yankees placed LeMahieu on the injured list on Opening Day on March 28, retroactive to March 25. (Last updated: March 29)
RHP Tommy Kahnle (right shoulder inflammation) Expected return: Possibly April 12 Kahnle will be eligible to come off the 15-day injured list on April 9, but manager Aaron Boone said on March 29 that he does not expect to see Kahnle activated during the Yankees’ first homestand, which runs through April 10. Kahnle’s buildup moved a bit more slowly than expected this spring due to the right shoulder inflammation that ended his 2023 season, as it delayed his winter throwing program. Kahnle said that he pushed his work back from Thanksgiving to Dec. 12 due to lingering discomfort. (Last updated: March 29)
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