It has been an eventful week for the New York Yankees. After getting swept by the Tampa Bay Rays, they now currently sit in second place in the AL East. As big of a blow that is, that is not the only event currently shaking the Bronx Bombers. There are also postponed games and, of course, more injuries. Here are all of the current New York Yankees news and notes.
New York Yankees vs. New York Mets Series Postponed
Statement from Major League Baseball on this weekend’s #Mets-Yankees Series. pic.twitter.com/nObBVl96fv
— New York Mets (@Mets) August 21, 2020
COVID-19 is once again impacting MLB as the Yankees – New York Mets series is currently being postponed. As of right now, two members of the Mets organization have tested positive for the coronavirus. The Mets game Thursday night against the Miami Marlins was postponed and it is now official that all three games scheduled against the Yankees are postponed as well.
#Mets Official Statement: pic.twitter.com/GKsRIMu4f7
— New York Mets (@Mets) August 21, 2020
Obviously, COVID-19 is a fluid situation and MLB is having to pivot almost daily as new cases arise. Hopefully, no more new positive Mets cases will arise and they will be allowed to continue soon. Also, this is the second time in which the Yankees have been affected by the coronavirus despite not testing positive themselves. The first happened on July 27th when their series against the Philadelphia Phillies was postponed due to the Marlins outbreak.
A doubleheader is possible starting Monday, but there has been no official word as of yet.
Yankees Injury Woes Continue
Since yesterday, the Yankees have added four players to the IL.
LHP Zack Britton : Left Hamstring Strain
LHP Luis Avilan: Left Shoulder Inflammation
SS: Gleyber Torres: Grade 1 Strain Left Quad and Left Hamstring
LHP: James Paxton: Grade 1 Left Forearm Flexor Strain
So, the Yankees are currently without their starting shortstop and second baseman as DJ LeMahieu is on the 10-day IL with a left thumb injury. Also, they are without their starting right fielder in Aaron Judge and their DH Giancarlo Stanton. Losing four starters is a major blow to any organization. Fortunately, the Yankees do have the depth to weather the injury storm, but, as was seen in their series against the Rays, their situational hitting was non-existent as they went 1-21 as a team with RISP in their Thursday loss to the Rays.
About the only bright spot is the fact that it is not believed Tommy John surgery is necessary for James Paxton. Jon Heyman reported as much on Twitter earlier.
Hear James Paxton got good news. No Tommy John recommended. Issue is believed to be muscular in nature. #yankees
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) August 21, 2020
Unfortunately, even a healthy Paxton has not been an effective one. His record currently sits at 1-1 with a 6.64 ERA in five starts. Not a particularly good look for a pitcher entering free agency at the end of the year. However, the Yankees will need his left-handed strikeout power if they hope to compete for a World Series championship this year.
Despite all of the injuries, Brendan Kuty of NJ.com is reporting that Yankees manager Aaron Boone says he expects Aaron Judge back when the Yankees resume play. Also, Zach Britton has already begun on-field work.
Boone said Aaron Judge should be ready to play when the Yankees return to playing.
— Brendan Kuty 🧟♂️ (@BrendanKutyNJ) August 21, 2020
Boone said that Zack Britton was playing catch and running on the field today.
Boone said he expects a short IL stint for Britton.
Also, that means the Yankees did have some kind of workout-type thing today at the stadium.
— Brendan Kuty 🧟♂️ (@BrendanKutyNJ) August 21, 2020
Yankees and Phillies Make a Trade
According to multiple reports, the Philadelphia Phillies have acquired RHP David Hale from the Yankees for RHP Addison Russ.
Also: Phillies have spoken with Red Sox about Brandon Workman, sources tell me and @MattGelb. https://t.co/GDhDSS1gzJ
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) August 21, 2020
In just over 54 innings pitched with the Yankees, David Hale was steady out of the bullpen. He owns a 2.98 ERA and averages six strikeouts per nine innings. Despite the solid numbers, Hale was designated for assignment earlier in the week.
Addison Russ is a former 2017 19th round pick by the Phillies. Last year in Double-A, Russ pitched to a 2.54 ERA 81 strikeouts and 20 walks in 56 and two-thirds innings pitched. Baseballamerica.com had Russ ranked 24th in the Phillies minor league system.
This move comes as a result of the Yankees desperately needing pitching depth and the Phillies attempting to shore up one of the worst bullpens in baseball.
Outlook
Despite all of the bad news currently hitting the Yankees, there are still some bright spots to be found. James Paxton does not need surgery and will be back before the seasons’ end. Aaron Judge is expected back at the beginning of next week with Giancarlo Stanton soon to follow. Also, it appears that Zach Britton won’t be on the IL long.
There are only 35 games left this season for the Yankees and they will have to battle the injury bug yet again. Yankee fans can only hope that their wealth of depth can carry them through until they are once again at full strength.
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