Injury Updates: Key Players on the Mend
The New York Yankees are dealing with several injuries as they navigate the 2024 season. Gleyber Torres was removed from Friday’s game against the Red Sox due to right groin tightness. He has been dealing with this issue for several weeks, affecting his performance in previous games. Manager Aaron Boone mentioned that it doesn’t seem too significant, and Torres could return on Sunday.
Cody Poteet is expected to return possibly in July after being placed on the 15-day IL on June 18 due to a right triceps strain. He resumed his throwing program but has yet to toss from a mound as of July 6. Ian Hamilton, who is dealing with a right lat strain, is expected to return in the second half of the season. He was placed on the 15-day IL on June 18 and has not resumed throwing as of June 29.
Giancarlo Stanton is aiming for a late July return after sustaining a left hamstring strain while running bases on June 22 against the Braves. He resumed treadmill activities on June 27 and underwent an MRI and received a platelet-rich plasma injection. Jasson Domínguez is expected to return in September after suffering a significant left oblique strain. He felt a tweak near his left oblique during a checked swing while playing for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on June 15.
Roster Moves and Player Performances
The Yankees have made several roster moves to cope with the injuries. Scott Effross is recovering from Tommy John surgery performed in October 2022 and back surgery in December 2023. He has been transferred to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre for his Minor League rehab assignment. JT Brubaker is also recovering from Tommy John surgery performed on April 12, 2023, and has moved from Double-A Somerset to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Jon Berti is expected to return possibly in late July after dealing with a left calf strain. He took ground balls at Yankee Stadium and will travel to the Tampa complex after the July 7 game against the Red Sox for rehab. Nick Burdi is expected to return after the All-Star break. He threw a live batting practice session at the club’s complex in Tampa, Florida, and received a platelet-rich plasma injection earlier.
Clarke Schmidt is expected to return possibly in August after being placed on the 15-day injured list with a right lat strain. He underwent an MRI on May 29 and reported difficulty bouncing back from his May 26 start at San Diego. Lou Trivino is recovering from Tommy John surgery performed on May 3, 2023, and is expected to return in the summer of 2024.
Power Rankings and Team Performance
The Yankees are currently ranked No. 4 in the power rankings, down from No. 3 the previous week. The theme for this week is “Wish you were here,” highlighting injured players who could make a difference. Despite the injuries, the team leads the AL in on-base percentage and ranks third in team ERA at 3.07. The Yankees have been winning despite the absence of key players like Gerrit Cole and DJ LeMahieu.
Gerrit Cole’s Health and Return
Gerrit Cole, the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner, has been out all season due to elbow inflammation. Despite his absence, the team’s run prevention remains strong. Cole has started light bullpen sessions and is expected to return soon. He threw a successful live batting practice session at Yankee Stadium last week and felt great afterward. The timeline for his return remains uncertain, but he is likely to need a full spring training duration for rehab starts.
Reasons for Optimism and Pessimism
There are several reasons for optimism among Yankees fans. Juan Soto has been impressive, posting a .331/.441/.589 slash line with eight home runs and 25 RBIs. Anthony Volpe has shown offensive improvement with a .262 batting average and three home runs. Anthony Rizzo was named AL Player of the Week. The team has been winning despite the injuries, and Aaron Boone has been praised for his leadership and strategy.
However, there are also reasons for pessimism. The Yankees face tough competition in the same division as the Orioles. DJ LeMahieu remains on the IL with a fractured foot, and his absence has been felt. The team will need to continue to perform well despite these challenges.
Notable Performances and Historical Moments
Aaron Judge has shown significant improvement over the past week, going 5-for-10 against the Detroit Tigers’ starters. Despite his recent success, Judge aims for even higher performance levels. Nestor Cortes has distinct home/road splits early in the 2024 season, with a significantly higher ERA on the road compared to his performances at Yankee Stadium.
Spencer Jones, ranked as the Yankees’ #2 prospect, continues to develop well with Double-A Somerset. An offseason adjustment helped him improve by getting more balls in the air and increasing his line drive rate. Jasson Dominguez remains the Yankees’ top prospect despite not playing since September. He is recovering from Tommy John surgery and is expected to return to play for the Yankees sometime in the 2024 season.
Looking Ahead
The Yankees have the fourth-best odds to win the World Series this fall, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. As the team navigates through injuries and roster changes, they remain focused on their goal of winning the championship. Fans can look forward to the return of key players and continued strong performances from the team.
