The Yankees latest roster cut has thrown up something interesting. Though they haven’t decided on their Opening Day lineup yet, their decisions after their last spring exhibition game on Tuesday surprised many by hinting at a possible trade.
Following a 3-0 loss to the Nationals, manager Aaron Boone said that Greg Weissert and Ian Hamilton were going to Triple-A RailRiders. Willie Calhoun, who plays in left field, was also out of the Yankees latest roster.
When it looked like outfielder Estevan Florial and Rafael Ortega were going to New York with the Yankees, even though neither of them is on the official roster, the Yankees released Rafael Ortega.
“There’s nothing guaranteed there, either, right now,” Boone said.
As of Tuesday afternoon, there were still two spots open on the Yankees latest roster. The 26-man lineup has a vacancy in the bullpen and another on the bench. Before, it looked like either Weissert or Hamilton would make the club since both have done well this spring. Since the duo are out of the Yankees latest roster, it’s clear that the Yankees will likely add a pitcher from outside the team before their season opener at Yankee Stadium on Thursday.
Is Florial up for trade?
They could pick up a pitcher who was put on waivers. Maybe they are looking at his medical records right now. Many think that the Yankees are ready to seek a trade for Florial. The former top prospect doesn’t have any minor-league options left. The Yankees have only two options left, either include him in the lineup or trade him. If they designate him for assignment, the Yankees will probably lose him for nothing.
Ortega, like Hamilton, was a non-roster invitee this spring, which means he should be added to the Yankees latest roster before he can join the 26-man roster for Opening Day. He could make the team as their 13th position player after Florial’s trade and backup left fielder to start the season.
But Ortega asked for and was given a release from his minor-league contract with the Yankees after he found out he didn’t make the team. That would make Ortega a free agent, giving Florial a way to stay with the team at least until center fielder Harrison Bader gets back from his oblique injury.
Chances are that the Yankees may trade Florial for a pitcher. Their rotation has been hurt by injuries and they need help.
The Yankees latest roster
The Yankees latest roster of 26 players is almost set. But there are still a few questions that need to be answered. Here’s how it looks right now, with a list of all the confirmed players.
Catchers (2): Jose Trevino, Kyle Higashioka
Infielders (6): Anthony Rizzo, DJ LeMahieu, Gleyber Torres, Anthony Volpe, Josh Donaldson, Isiah Kiner-Falefa
Outfielders (4): Aaron Judge, Aaron Hicks, Oswaldo Cabrera, Giancarlo Stanton
Starting Pitchers (4): Gerrit Cole, Nestor Cortes, Domingo Germán, Clarke Schmidt,Luis Severino
Relievers (7): Clay Holmes, Jonathan Loáisiga, Wandy Peralta, Ron Marinaccio, Michael King, Albert Abreu, Jimmy Cordero
Injured list: Carlos Rodón, Harrison Bader, Tommy Kahnle, Lou Trivino, Frankie Montas, Luis Gil, and Scott Effross
Out: Greg Weissert, Ian Hamilton, Willie Calhoun, Rafael Ortega
This means 23 of the 26 spots on the Yankees latest roster are filled, and only three are still open.
Possibly in: Estevan Florial, Jhony Brito, a new player
Yankees injury latest update
The Yankees had a rough spring. Five players on the Yankees latest roster will start the season on the injured list because of injuries, and one more will start the season on the injured list because he had surgery.
Harrison Bader hadn’t picked up a bat since March 8, when he hurt his left oblique. Bader was going to New York to start the season with the team. He said he was feeling better, even though he hadn’t tried any swings yet. He thought that day might be coming up soon.
“Just continue the progression and then hopefully get to a point where I feel really good and get shipped out of there and then have my return be as soon as we all see fit,” Bader said.
Tommy Kahnle still couldn’t throw after getting a cortisone shot last Tuesday for tendinitis in his right bicep. The injection came with a 48-72 hour rest period. The Yankees planned to start building him back up after that, but Kahnle said on Monday that he had not yet started a throwing program. The right-handed reliever was shut down for 10 days starting on March 3, but when he started to throw again, he was still in pain.
“I think maybe just because I’m a little older, it’s taking a little slower,” said Kahnle. “But it definitely is the same feeling I’ve had every time I’ve gotten it. So it’s just taking a little longer than I expected. But it’s not the worst case.”
Right-handed reliever Lou Trivino, on the other hand, has already started his throwing program and has stayed in Tampa to keep healing. Trivino’s injury, which the Yankees called a mild elbow ligament sprain in his pitching arm, may make it take longer for him to get back into shape. Trivino said Monday that the injury was to his UCL ligament, so he is being treated with more care.
Luis Severino still couldn’t throw on Tuesday because of a strained right lat, but he went to Washington with the team and is on the Yankees latest roster. He and the Yankees have both said that he shouldn’t miss more than three or four games. Carlos Rodon, who has a strained muscle in his left forearm, threw breaking balls in a bullpen session on Monday and then stayed in Tampa to continue his comeback.
Frankie Montas and Scott Effross both stayed in Tampa to continue their rehabs. Early in March, Effross started a throwing program, while Montas is expected to be unable to throw for another seven weeks.
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