ARLINGTON, Texas — After the conclusion of the regular season, the Yankees will have five days to get ready for the Division Series. They may face either the Cleveland Guardians or the Tampa Bay Rays in a best-of-five series.
The Yankees team brass is set to utilize the time to create a roster for the ALDS comprising of 26 players. However, the Yankees won’t be able to finalize the roster until they determine which of their injured players will be ready to participate. Here is the most Yankees injury update regarding six injured players, who are hoping to be part of the postseason baseball.
ANDREW BENINTENDI
He is on the Yankees’ injury list after a wrist injury. Benintendi underwent surgery to repair a broken hook of the hamate bone in the right hand. He has been on the injured list since August 9 and has missed more than 30 games.
Benintendi has been working on his swing with hitting practices, but he has not yet been given the green light to participate in the batting practice. He is not a viable option for the Yankees’ Division Series, and even his participation in the ALCS is a long shot.
MATT CARPENTER
Carpenter moved to the Yankees’ injury list following a left foot fracture. First, he was put on a 15-day injured list on August 9 but subsequently joined the 60-day off on October 2. Matt missed 52 games in the regular season.
Carpenter has had several at-bat sessions in the bullpen over the last few days at the Yankees’ affiliated Double-A Somerset. He could be used in the Division Series as a pinch-hitter or designated hitter if Giancarlo Stanton sits. Most likely, the Yankees will decide based on whether they think Carpenter could help them in offense after not facing big-league pitchers for more than two months.
According to manager Aaron Boone:
“We’ll get plenty of looks this week. The biggest thing is him getting in there and seeing live pitching. He’s had five or so at-bats each day (of late) and now we’ll get eyes on him through the weekend and into next week. I’m optimistic and feel like physically he’s in a pretty good place.”
CLAY HOLMES
After recovering from a right shoulder strain, which necessitated an epidural, Holmes continues to be on the active roster. However, he missed nine games when he was on the Yankees’ injury list. On Tuesday, Holmes started throwing again with the intention of being ready for the ALDS.
Talking about Holmes, Boone said:
“That’s the hope. I think he’s scheduled for a bullpen potentially as early as Friday. It’s got to go well and progress well, but so far everything has gone according to plan. As long as he’s feeling good and makes it through his progressions, we’ll take our chances.”
RON MARINACCIO
He missed four games while on the Yankees’ injury list due to right shin stress feature. The player is out since October 4. The Yankees are giving Marinaccio a few days off to rest because they are concerned that pushing through this injury could result in a stress fracture that would end the player’s season. There is a chance that the rookie will participate in the ALCS.
FRANKIE MONTAS
Due to a right shoulder inflammation, Montas was placed on the Yankees’ injury list on September 20. Since then, he has missed 18 games.
The long-tossing phase of Montas’ throwing program is the current focus of his training. “He’s probably going to get in line for a bullpen early next week,” said manager Boone. In the best-case scenario, Montas will be an option for the ALCS bullpen or opening rotation.
WANDY PERALTA
Left thoracic spine tightness moved Peralta to the Yankees’ injury list on September 19 and he has not played in any of the last 16 New York games. On Tuesday, Peralta participated in live batting practice by throwing to batters. The Yankees anticipate having him on their roster for the ALDS and intend for him to pitch right away in crucial situations.
Boone stated:
“We knew that he would be ready. I have no concerns regarding him. He hasn’t been out for very long at all.”
Matt Carpenter to play in the postseason
Due to their wild-card bye, the New York Yankees won’t start their American League Division Series until Tuesday, October 11. So, it’s good news that New York manager Aaron Boone expects infielder Matt Carpenter to have recovered to be on the team’s playoff roster next week. He told about this on the Michael Kay Show.
Carpenter, who is 36, hasn’t played in a major league game since August 8, when he broke his foot. Before that, though, he was one of the best surprises of the season. Carpenter hit .305/.412/.727 (217 OPS+) in 47 games with the Yankees. He hit 15 home runs and drove in 37 runs.
Even if Carpenter can only pinch-hit, he should give the Yankees’ offense an extra dimension because he hits left-handed. At the end of the season, Anthony Rizzo, Aaron Hicks, Oswaldo Cabrera, and Marwin Gonzalez were the only Yankees who mostly hit left-handed. Only Rizzo (131 OPS+) and Cabrera (109 OPS+) could help the offense.
Carpenter is just one of a few Yankees who could get back on the field when the postseason starts. Clay Holmes (strained shoulder) and Wandy Peralta (tight thoracic spine) are also likely to be on the ALDS team.
This weekend, after the best-of-three Wild Card Series between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Cleveland Guardians, the Yankees will find out who they will play in that series.
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