The New York Yankees continue to get troubling injury reports. Giancarlo Stanton was ruled out for six weeks with a hamstring injury. Big signing Carlos Rodon has new back issues. Third baseman Josh Donaldson is no more in his rehab assignment due to hamstring issues.
Josh Donaldson is out of rehab
Josh Donaldson returned to Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, but he did not rejoin the active roster. The third baseman was back in The Bronx on Wednesday for a “few therapy stuff” and an MRI test, only 24 hours after expressing hope that he was on the brink of rejoining the Yankees after five rehab innings at Double-A Somerset.
The Yankees third baseman had hamstring tightness once again. Tuesday night, while playing for Double-A Somerset in a rehab game. Upon making a throw early in the game, Donaldson discovered the ailment that put him on the disabled list on April 8. The veteran played long enough to get three at-bats and a hit, but he wasn’t pleased with his ability to run.
“I was able to stay in and kind of manage it,” Donaldson said. “But it was one of those ordeals where there were probably things that I would have liked to feel better about.”
Donaldson has had an MRI, therapy, and testing on Wednesday and the findings came, as he described, “relatively good.” The Yankees baseman is unsure when his next rehab game will be or what his next steps will be, but he wants to have a clearer idea by Thursday or Friday.
The 37-year-old is playing his second season in pinstripes after arriving in the Bronx last year. In 132 games with the Yankees last season, he batted .222. He’s a .264 hitter with a .361 on-base percentage in his career. In addition to the Twins and Yankees, he has played for the Oakland Athletics, Toronto Blue Jays, and Atlanta Braves.
He earned the MVP with the Blue Jays in 2015, is a three-time all-star, and has two Silver Slugger trophies.
New injury for Carlos Rodon
Carlos Rodon, who was originally sidelined with a forearm strain early in spring training, had tests on his “barking” back on Wednesday, according to Boone. The southpaw has been suffering from tightness.
Boone said early testing came back “normal,” but the manager was still waiting on other findings when he talked to reporters on Wednesday.
“I do think it’s just kind of a minor, nagging thing,” Boone said.
Injuries failing Yankees pitching
The Yankees are struggling with a slew of injuries. First and foremost, it should be noted that Frankie Montas may not even play this season due to a shoulder issue that necessitated surgery before 2023. Luis Gil, who the Yankees look as a big support, is unlikely to return after having Tommy John surgery. Hence, even before the season started in 2023, the Yankees were lacking in rotation depth.
When Carlos Rodon and Luis Severino got injured, the pitching depth took a significant blow. Rodon was the huge offseason deal, signing for six years and $162 million. He has yet to throw for the Yankees due to a forearm muscle issue, and manager Aaron Boone recently said that Rodon’s back has begun “barking,” whatever that means. Rodon does not seem to be returning soon enough to make good on the investment this season.
Severino always seems to have something going on. He last pitched a whole season in 2018. In 2022, he made 19 starts and was 7-3 with a 3.18 ERA and 112 strikeouts in 102 innings. This time, he has a lat strain, which kept him out last season, and is yet to make his debut in 2023.
The rotation has Gerrit Cole and Nestor Cortes at the top. That’s all the Yankees can rely for now. Rodon and Severino might return and solidify the rotation. Clarke Schmidt, along with Domingo German or Jhony Brito, will be sent to the bullpen. With the exception of Clay Holmes‘ surprise sluggish start, the Yankees’ bullpen has been excellent. Therefore, ultimately, the pitching should be OK. Patience makes sense in this situation.
The pitching staff just needs to be cautious. Cole seems to be on track for a Cy Young Award. Cortes is continuing the success he found last year. Rodon may be the three-headed monster the Yankees have been looking for. The bullpen doesn’t really need to be adjusted, just better managed.
Yankees fans are hoping that health and a few depth changes will get the squad back on track.
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