Yankees Maintain Strong Start Despite Injuries
The New York Yankees have kicked off the 2025 season with a strong performance, holding a 12-7 record and leading the American League East. Despite this success, the team faces significant challenges due to injuries. The Yankees have managed to maintain their position at the top, thanks to their strong offensive start. However, they cannot rely solely on high-scoring games to sustain their lead.
Pitching Staff Struggles and Updates
The Yankees’ pitching staff has been under pressure, with several key players sidelined. Max Fried remains the only starting pitcher providing consistent production. His recent performances have been stellar, with wins in his last three starts and only three earned runs allowed. Meanwhile, Clarke Schmidt has returned from injury, pitching against the Kansas City Royals. He delivered 5.2 innings with four hits and three earned runs. Schmidt’s return is expected to bolster the pitching staff, but he will not be available for the upcoming series against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Injury Updates: DJ LeMahieu and Marcus Stroman
The Yankees received positive updates on key veterans DJ LeMahieu and Marcus Stroman. LeMahieu, who has been sidelined since spring training due to a calf injury, is set to begin a minor league rehab assignment. This marks an important step in his recovery, as he missed all of camp and started the year on the injured list. Manager Aaron Boone mentioned that LeMahieu has participated in extended spring training games and is ready for more competitive play.
Stroman, recovering from left knee inflammation, has resumed playing catch following a cortisone shot. An MRI showed no structural damage, suggesting he could return sooner rather than later. His first three starts this season were challenging, posting an 11.57 ERA over just 9.1 innings. A brief IL stint might serve as a reset for Stroman, who is in the final guaranteed year of his contract.
Upcoming Series Against Tampa Bay Rays
The Yankees are set to face the Tampa Bay Rays in a four-game series. The schedule includes games on Thursday and Friday at 7:05 p.m., Saturday at 4:10 p.m., and Sunday at 1:40 p.m. For Thursday’s game, Yankees’ young right-hander Will Warren will face Rays’ right-hander Taj Bradley. On Friday, Yankees left-hander Carlos Rodón is set to pitch against Rays’ right-hander Drew Rasmussen. Saturday’s matchup features Yankees veteran right-hander Carlos Carrasco against Rays’ right-hander Shane Baz. In Sunday’s finale, Yankees ace left-hander Max Fried will pitch against Rays’ right-hander Ryan Pepiot.
Challenges in the Lineup
The Yankees face uncertainty about where LeMahieu will fit into the lineup upon his return. Current third basemen Oswaldo Cabrera, Oswald Peraza, and Pablo Reyes have not excelled offensively. Cabrera has shown versatility and solid performance with a .308/.372/.385 slash line but is more valuable as a flexible player rather than an everyday third baseman. LeMahieu’s health improvement and upcoming rehab assignment are positive steps toward rejoining the Major League team.
Additional Injury Concerns
The Yankees continue to deal with other injuries, including Jonathan Loáisiga, who is recovering from right UCL surgery. He is expected to return in late May or early June. Giancarlo Stanton is managing pain from torn tendons in both elbows and could resume live at-bats soon. Luis Gil and Jake Cousins are also on the injured list, with expected returns in May or June.
Team Adjustments and Outlook
In Stroman’s absence, Allan Winans was selected from Triple-A to help cover innings. Winans previously struggled in the majors but holds a solid 3.20 ERA across Triple-A outings. He is likely to fill a long relief role unless further injuries necessitate rotation changes. The Yankees’ pitching staff remains thin with Gerrit Cole and JT Brubaker still sidelined. However, Clarke Schmidt’s return this week along with encouraging updates on Stroman and LeMahieu provide hope for reinforcements soon.
Conclusion
The New York Yankees are navigating a challenging start to the season with a mix of strong performances and injury setbacks. As they prepare for their series against the Tampa Bay Rays, the team remains focused on maintaining their lead in the American League East. With key players like DJ LeMahieu and Marcus Stroman making progress in their recoveries, the Yankees are hopeful for a stronger lineup in the coming weeks.