Scott Thompson, SNY.tv | Twitter |
The Yankees are exactly one week away from opening their 2019 season against the Orioles in the Bronx, and the battles to make the 25-man roster when camp breaks are coming down to the wire. Injuries continue to plague this squad, with Greg Bird the latest to receive medical attention after he was hit by a pitch in the elbow. Luckily, that isn't expected to be a big deal, but other Yankees may not be so lucky when the season kicks off.
Here's how we see things shaking out in our 25-man Roster Prediction 3.0...
Starting Rotation (5)
- James Paxton, LHP
- Masahiro Tanaka, RHP
- J.A. Happ, LHP
- Luis Cessa, RHP
- Gio Gonzalez, LHP
Notable Spring Training Developments: Severino and Sabathia are still expected to be out on Opening Day, and the Yankees decided to sign the veteran Gonzalez to a minor-league deal earlier this week. Also, Cessa kicks out German as he is having a fantastic spring.
The Yankees are still expecting Severino and Sabathia to be out by Opening Day despite the former taking a big step in returning on Wednesday. Last time, we had Jonathan Loaisiga and Domingo German in the four and five slots, but Cessa's dominant spring can't see him not in the rotation on March 28. The 26-year-old has a 0.53 ERA and 0.59 WHIP over 17 innings thus far.
Gonzalez, though just joining the team in camp, wasn't signed to sit in the minors. The Yankees should use him as their fifth starter to bring a third lefty on board. However, the Yankees could go with Loaisiga or German if they deem him unready.
Bullpen (7)
- Aroldis Chapman, LHP
- Adam Ottavino, RHP
- Zack Britton, LHP
- Chad Green, RHP
- Jonathan Holder, RHP
- Tommy Kahnle, RHP
- Stephen Tarpley, LHP
Notable Spring Training Development: Dellin Betances has already been sent to the IL to start the season, so German takes his spot.
Betances is going to start the season on the Injured List, as the Yankees found out he has right shoulder inflammation following an MRI. After coming to camp late, Betances' velocity was noticeably down which got the Yankees concerned.
But, instead of filling his empty role, the Yankees are going to run with seven relievers as they await Betances' return. The strength of the bullpen allows this to happen. German could slide into Betances' role if the Yankees please, but his plus-4 ERA in spring may have him stay in Triple-A waiting for a call-up.
Everyday Position Players (9)
- Gary Sanchez, C
- Greg Bird, 1B
- Gleyber Torres, 2B
- Troy Tulowitzki, SS
- Miguel Andujar, 3B
- Giancarlo Stanton, LF
- Brett Gardner, CF
- Aaron Judge, RF
- Luke Voit, DH
Notable Spring Training Development: The first base battle will see both first basemen making the cut, with Aaron Hicks' injury putting those wheels in motion.
Bird and Voit continue to tear it up together in Tampa, but the Yankees have been saying they probably wouldn't carry both first basemen. However, with Hicks set to miss Opening Day, that shakes things up a bit.
Gardner will have to move to center field, while Stanton takes over in left. In turn, Bird gets the start at first base being the better defensive player. And good news for the Yankees that his MRI for a swollen elbow came back negative, so he looks to be fine if they want to call his name.
Voit, then, gets the DH start, but manager Aaron Boone can obviously switch up that lineup whenever he pleases.
Bench (4)
- DJ LeMahieu, INF
- Austin Romine, C
- Clint Frazier, OF
- Tyler Wade, UTL
Notable Spring Training Development: Frazier continues to struggle at the dish, but Billy Burns was sent down to minor league camp after today's game.
Since the last time we projected the 25-man, Frazier was struggled at the plate. Well, things haven't changed as his most recent 0-for-3 performance moved his spring average to .130. But, with the Yankees sending Billy Burns down to minor league camp after today's game, it seems like they still have faith in Frazier to pick things up when the season starts.
Also, with the bullpen having one less arm, Wade makes the squad due to his strong spring and ability to play any position. His slash line at the moment is .318/.362/.545 with one homer, seven doubles and three RBI.
