Yankees GM Brian Cashman dropped some news on Tuesday when he said OF Mike Tauchman was fully healthy. He had been dealing with a calf injury, but has since rehabbed himself back into the conversation of a roster spot.
But, with the Yankees already three games into the ALCS, Tauchman may not be able to be considered until a potential World Series berth. However, there is one reason why the Yanks may consider placing him on the roster right now.
Giancarlo Stanton has been dealing with a strained quad after Game 1, and he had to sit the bench in the past two contests because of it. Little is known about how bad the strain is, but Aaron Boone has noted Stanton being available off the bench. He also said on Wednesday during his presser that no decision has been made on him just yet.
If the strain continues to inhibit Stanton, a possible addition of Tauchman in his place could be the move the Yankees want to explore. Tauchman is a solid left fielder that had success at the plate all season. In fact, he was hot before hitting the IL on Sept. 9.
Making that move for Stanton, though, would mean that the All-Star slugger would not only miss the rest of the ALCS, but the entire World Series if the Yankees make it as well. Per MLB rules, a player must remain out for the continuation of the current series as well as the next series on the schedule.
Should the Yankees make that move? Having a healthy Tauchman back adds another left-handed bat for Boone to use, and a solid outfielder too. There is also the argument that playing a National League team in the World Series would make Stanton irrelevant with the DH slot not available.
But with Aaron Hicks back healthy, Brett Gardner can just shift to left like he did in Game 3 with Aaron Judge in right field completing the outfield. So it wouldn't be worth the Yankees to bring in Tauchman, as Stanton is still an option for Boone off the bench now and wouldn't be if the World Series has New York representing the American League.
For the Yankees to take him off the roster, Stanton would be to be unable to touch the field all together. If Boone continues to say he's available for his team, then it should stay that way throughout the rest of this ALCS.