In the wake of another COVID-19 outbreak in the Yankees clubhouse, some of the impacted players are preparing to return to the field. Manager Aaron Boone told reporters (including Kristie Ackert of The New York Daily News) that Gerrit Cole and Jordan Montgomery will be activated from the COVID-related injury list to start the Yankees’ next two games. Cole will face the Angels on Monday, while Montgomery will face the Red Sox on Tuesday in one half of a doubleheader.
Additionally, catcher Gary Sanchez started a Double-A rehab assignment today, and could potentially be activated for one of those games against the Red Sox. “We’ll see if we want to do another rehab game with them, potentially on Tuesday, but the idea would be he plays [today] and then come be with us tomorrow and work out, have a full day with us and then we’ll kind of evaluate the next step,” Boone said.
Six players are currently on the COVID list, which only added to roster issues for the injury-riddled Yankees. Despite all these absences, however, the Yankees have been one of baseball’s hottest teams, with a 19-9 record since the All-Star break.
Anthony Rizzo was a big part of that hot streak, batting .281/.400/.563 in his first 40 plate appearances in the pinstripes since being acquired by the Cubs at the trade deadline. Rizzo was also hit by a positive COVID test, and after over a week away, will begin to take steps towards returning to the field by undergoing cardiac testing on Monday.
Domingo German has been sidelined by right shoulder inflammation since August 1, and the right-hander tossed a bullpen session yesterday to continue his recovery process. Boone said German threw all fastballs yesterday and will add more pitches in his next bullpen, which could take place as early as Monday.
Gotta tip my hat to this club.
21(!) players on one of the various IL’s. The rotation in absolute shambles. Played a stretch of 17 straight.
& through it all, we are the hottest team in the American League. That’ll play.
Obviously, having been a fan of this team for ~ 5 decades, I thoroughly expected something like this. But that doesn’t preclude me from recognizing their accomplishment.
Even in a “down” season, Yanks remain relevant.
It seems like fans of other ballclubs spend a lot more time worrying about our team than I do.
All the concern is – ya know – touching.
5 decades, obviously a bandwagon fan. 😉
It’s been an “interesting” season that’s for sure.
The yankees need to keep getting injured to support my theory of BMI over 25 being a bad thing. Or just stay healthy and fall short of the postseason.
I know, pathetic.
Yeah.
I’d like to claim something like, “through thick & thin!” but for obvious reasons that rings hollow.
“‘Interesting'”;
Before the deadline, this ballclub “played” stretches that really were borderline unwatchable, serious. May-July, I tied so many flies & worked on so many waterfowl decoys during the games, it may as well have been my damn job.
Different story since.
mmm…actually it’s the Same Old Story, uh?
Always irritating to see someone hoping for injuries. I see a playoff club.
Pretty much.
Yes, not hoping for injuries, my wording wasn’t the best. I do hope they fall short because I like the teams ahead of them. But you’re right, they likely are a playoff team.
Fair enough. & I don’t care/screw everybody but us. I never thought otherwise.
Yep. And also hat tip to Britton to taking a step back. Lots of respect for the guy.
I have more concerns about Britton than I do Chapman. We’ve seen abysmal (although without perhaps quite the “flair” of his meltdowns this summer) stretches from Chapman before.
He’s always pulled out of it.
But this is New Stuff with Britton. & it is ugly. Mercy. I – personally – would do merely slightly worse. I really like our bullpen depth. Gotta figure out the end game, though.
I think that Britton is hurt. I think his whole normal routine (spring, season, postseason) is therefore out of whack. I don’t think he gets better this year. I would use Britton fairly regularly and make him an opener. If he’s good, put him back 8/9. If not, they have 8 innings to regain the lead…
thank goodness they were buyers and not… stand patters? the first 80+ games were an absolute snooze fest so even if they don’t make it to the post-season 2 months of fun baseball was worth it
Exactly.
Yanks were never going to sell. But we needed help. Cash got us some. We played some of the most aesthetically unappealing baseball I have ever watched. So bad.
The games were almost a damn punishment.
Completely different now, however.
Was goose opener in North Dakota this morning. I got back by the third & for the first time this season since April, I was bummed I missed the start of the game.
I do not struggle to like this squad anymore.
Also: are you @dasit from the old RAB?
You will likely struggle to like them in October, they have had an impressive run lately especially with the injuries and COVID but there is nothing in the recent playoff past that suggests they will do anything in the playoffs, if they get that far. Early season problems tend to come back once they’ve been band aided over. Same for my team and the problems they have. It is a lot easier to like your team when they’re playing well though isn’t it?
Perhaps.
I’ve seen this core in the postseason 4 times. They’ve always gone on some type of run. Made the LCS twice. Which for most MLB franchise’s is a Big Deal.
Sorta ho-hum for the Yanks, though. I guess it’s all a matter of perspective.
& in October:
We have a true ace. We have a pen that will go at least 6 deep. Offense (defense too!) is looking so much better since we added Gallo & Rizzo. Lotta good hitters. & they’ve been coming around.
In the end, no matter whom we face or when we do, no team is going to be excited to play us.
Bet.
Ducky the problem with the Yankees line up as constructed is that is very streaky with all those swing from the heels type.
1- Those type teams usually run into a really good pitching staff in one of the first 2 series and they do not make it out of the AL
2- Great if one of the streaky stretches of 15-20 games takes place during the playoffs if not out in the first round..
This was the same Achille heel of the Jays in the ALCS in 15 & 16.
15- A team built for OB and small ball (KC) vs the Big Boppers on the Jays.
16- Cleveland- Great pitching suffocated all the HR boys.
Best hope the Yankees have is if the Pitching staff can stay hot and the position players stay healthy and they meet a team with a so so so staff in the playoffs.
Love for my Jays to get Pearson and Merryweather back for the pen and meet you fellas in the post season.
yes i was a semi-regular RAB commenter
miss it very much!
Agree, always on the lookout for the next Yank to slip on the ol’ banana peel.
Goose opener? You mean you need permission to kill those disgusting things? You can come follow behind my truck and pick them up as I run them over in beautiful Parsippany NJ.
I have to confess to rooting for a few minor injuries earlier in the season so a few AAA players could come up and add some passion to their game; maybe throw in a bunt or two, steal a base, you know, play baseball. Not stand there one after another, 6 out of 9, swinging at every pitch.
Yes. You do. Otherwise it’s – ya know – poaching. I will take a big pass on your “offer”. I go back to the Bronx every couple years or so. But as for Jersey, well, never setting foot there again would be my actual preference.
&…ok.
Or whatever.
Stand patter is better than a pitter patter. Probably.
I was surprised they didn’t take a run at Kimbrel.
Raising my hand for doubting these Yankees just not too long ago !
Phenomenal stretch by NYY ….Despite this year being a bit yucky early, Sept baseball is loooookkinnnn Ghuuuuudddddd for the sport
Dodgers /Giants race
Yanks / Saux race
And we finally get that epic NL (L)East multi team race ! Its just the bullseye is 85 wins instead of the 95 we all thought it be ! Not bad? …….. And ofc thoughts and prayers for all that won’t participate in thee Sept races but the battle goes on
The NL race is going to be great, but I fear the repeated blows to the SDPs are going to weaken them to the point of non-contention. Anything can happen in one game though.
The AL is always better when both Yankees and Sawx are competitive. But the three original NY teams are great again – fans packing stands – baseball is back!
Nobody cares
You’re only mad because you’re irrelevant William! Go back to your conspiracy shows!!
Priceline does(?)
I get enough vaccine bull$h!+ on social media, can we please not make this a place for it
Cheers to that!!
You don’t want them reporting facts? Regardless of what anyone thinks about the vaccines, they’re just reporting what’s happening, explaining why some players are coming back or out.
@gbs42 No issues with the writers reporting. I think most of us are simply tired of these same discussions and rants in the comment section.
Some people complained the comments sections about COVID were closed, some are tired of reading about it. It’s a no-win situation for MLBTR.
Ironically, the first comment about the topic in this post is someone saying they didn’t want to read comments about it.
Par for the course unfortunately. No, especially having to moderate through all the mud and parse legit comments.
Go away. Problem solved.
One thing that no one has addressed, why a handful of the teams had widespread ” outbreaks” while most others have only isolated cases involving 1-2 players ( or staff ).
1- Teams have better protocols then others.
2 – Some teams have a higher percentage of players who flaunt or ignore mitigation measures.
3-Some teams have used vaccines better at reducing risk of infection then others.
Worthy of study . Would be of help to all organizations not just sports teams.
A sensible covid comment? Could it be?
I would like to see the Yankees put a bid in for Marwin Gonzales. He’d be a perfect bench player and p/t fielder. He’s a switch hitter and has been with winning teams!
The Yankees finally turned things around when the Yankees realized they needed some lefty hitters to balance the lineup. Now call up Greg Allen to add some much needed team speed. A fast lead off hitter would do wonders for this team. Getting Heaney was a waste but I guess that’s all they could do to stay under tax.
When they demonstrated their small-ball play with speedy guys during his call up with he, Gardy, Wade, Florial, they looked pretty good. Odor was moving guys into position with drag bunts and they were scoring. Problem was the blown saves. If they could just get those late-inning blown saves back they would be + 5 games. That’s huge.
Pearl clutching Yankees fans would never, ever support signing that cheater. Unless they do, and he plays well, then it’s all good.
From mlb, Britton lost 18 pounds after a preseason bout with COVID-19. More bad things followed. Maybe it’s a little more than “the flu”. But whatever.
Funny the Yanks tried to run Voit out of town for Rizzo (lol) and all he does is hit. Big hits time and time again.
No.
Out of boredom and curiosity I decided to have a look at the AL and how the race is shaping up for the Divisions and Wild Cards.
Realistically there are now 7 teams with any decent shot at the Post Season.
Rays/Astros/Sox/A’s/Yankees/Jays/Mariners.
I looked at all their respective games remaining and the strength of schedule counting games against other teams at or near .500 and those below. Then I subtracting the ” easy” games from the “tougher” games to arrive at each teams difficulty number.
The higher the number the more difficult the schedule.
Example: The Yankees have 27 Games against .500 teams and 16 against weaker teams for a score of 11 .
From hardest to easiest
A’s >32-9 = 23
Yankees > 27-16 =11
Mariners> 24-16 =8
Astros > 25-17 =8
Red Sox > 21-18=3
Rays > 21-20= 1
Jays> 20-22=-2
The A’s have the hardest schedule and the Jays the easiest.
Ok some thoughts.
West
1- The A’s have a brutal schedule and are likely to miss the playoffs unless they can beat up on equal strength opponents.
2- Mariners will likely catch or even pass the A’s but likely miss out on the Wild Card.
3- Unless the fall off a cliff the Astros should easily take the west.
East.
1- Rays has a fairly even schedule remaining so unless they go on an extended losing streak or Boston goes on a extended winning streak the Rays should win the East.
2- The Jays has a much much easier schedule then the Yanks the rest of august. 4 games against .500 teams vs 12 for the Yankees. So unless the Jays Bullpen goes back to sucking big time, the Jays should make up the 2 games and pass the Yankees by Sept 1st.
3- Sox/Jays/Yankees should all be within a couple games of each other entering September. The Jays and Yankees will each have 3 games in hand over Boston . Looks like the 2 Wild card spots will come down to a 3 way battle between Sox/Yankees and Jays.
The 7 head to head Games in Sept between the Yankees and Jays will be crucial for all 3 teams. Likely the Yankees will have to go 5-2 in those 7 Games to make the post season .
The Yankees lineup to try and get to a WS. I think if Stanton can play the field then DH Voit and everyone healthy they can be dangerous. Any suggestions on how to Tweak it? I know Judge, Gallo, Stanton strike out way too much.
DJ 2nd
Rizzo 1st
Judge RF
Gallo CF
Stanton LF
Voit DH
Sanchez C
Torres SS
Ushela 3rd
Gallo is not a cleanup hitter… Ill take Judge anyday over him.Ive tried to put this together, and everytime i do someone else goes on the IL.. To me ( and youve seen it done) , i like Gardner or Torres leading off. DJ 2nd, Rizzo 3rd , Judge 4th , Gallo 5th , Stanton 6th , Urshela/ Sanchez 7th and 8th, Wade 9th .. I know Gardys avg is low, but with his experience and being a lefty it bumps protection further down the lineup. Hard to do this because you know Voit is going to get ABs, Higgy as well…
Agreed.. BUT ive been waiting for the As to stumble for awhile and everytime we get to within a game of them on the loss side, they keep winning.
Agreed.. BUT ive been waiting for the As to stumble for awhile and everytime we get to within a game of them on the loss side, they keep winning.
What’s the latest on Clark Schmidt?
Probably the same status as Sevy. TBD.