The Yankees came into Spring Training with high expectations. But before the first pitch of the regular season, a growing list of injuries has already raised serious concerns. Former Yankees hitting coach Sean Casey and MLB insider Joel Sherman aren’t just monitoring the situation—they’re openly worried.
Luis Gil’s injury a gut punch to the rotation
One of the biggest blows so far? Luis Gil. The reigning AL Rookie of the Year suffered a lat strain, and while the Yankees are officially saying he’ll be shut down for six weeks, Casey isn’t buying it.
That timeline could push Gil’s return to late May or even June. For a rotation already walking a tightrope, that’s a brutal loss. Sherman believes it’s actually a bigger problem than missing Giancarlo Stanton.
“When you hear Booney [Aaron Boone] say six weeks of no throwing, that means this is a three-month issue,” Casey said on his podcast, The Mayor’s Office.
Casey called the injury “a big blow.” In parallel to that, and in a post-podcast discussion, Joel Sherman echoed that sentiment, saying the Yankees could plan around Giancarlo Stanton’s health issues but losing Gil for months is a much bigger problem.
“You have to anticipate Stanton injuries,” Sherman said. “That’s like going out in a leaky boat without a life preserver. But Gil? He was an important depth piece, and now they’ve lost him for months.”
Casey pointed out that Marcus Stroman now has an opportunity to step up. Stroman, left off the postseason roster last year, had made it clear in spring training that he sees himself as a starter, not a bullpen arm.
“If he performs well, the right-hander will make everyone forget about the distractions he brought to the team in early spring training,” Casey said.
Yankees lineup getting thinner against lefties
Giancarlo Stanton’s elbow tendinitis means he won’t be ready for Opening Day. Even though his numbers against lefties dipped last year, he was still supposed to be a key bat in the middle of the order—especially with Juan Soto and Gleyber Torres gone.
Now? The Yankees’ lineup suddenly looks a lot less threatening against left-handed pitching.
“Last year, their three best hitters against lefties were Aaron Judge—who had the best numbers against lefties in all of baseball—Soto, and Torres. Soto and Torres are gone. That’s a problem,” Sherman pointed out.
With Stanton sidelined, the Yankees are left scrambling. Judge is still elite, but who else steps up? The team’s search for a right-handed bat is ongoing, but financial constraints might limit their options.
DJ LeMahieu’s injury only makes things worse
DJ LeMahieu came into camp looking to rebound from a disappointing season. Instead, he strained his calf in his first Spring Training game. Now, his status for Opening Day is in doubt, and that leaves the Yankees staring at an uncomfortable reality: Who plays third base?
“They’re talking about Oswaldo Cabrera and Oswald Peraza at third,” Sherman said. “But I don’t think that’s a viable long-term solution.”
The Yankees know they need help. According to Sherman, they’re actively looking for a right-handed bat who can play third base or corner outfield. But whether they can actually land one is another story.
The Yankees’ injuries aren’t just piling up in the lineup and rotation. The bullpen is also feeling the strain. Scott Effross is out 4-8 weeks with a hamstring strain. Jonathan Loáisiga is still recovering from elbow surgery. Jake Cousins has a forearm issue.
That puts pressure on young arms like Yoendrys Gómez, who is out of minor league options and could land a bullpen role by default.
It’s only March, but the Yankees are already running out of breathing room. Sherman doesn’t sugarcoat it—the team is in a tough spot.
“They know this is an issue. I know this for a fact—they are looking for a right-handed bat that plays either third base or corner outfield. They know it’s a problem.”
If the injuries keep piling up, that problem could become even more concerning, with media, fans, and even former team members voicing their apprehensions.
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