Yankees Face Injury Challenges
The New York Yankees are dealing with a series of injuries that have impacted their roster. Starting pitcher Luis Gil recently threw from flat ground for the first time since being diagnosed with a right lat strain. He reported feeling “good” after the session, which is a positive sign for the team. However, Gil experienced a minor setback and is expected to return in June. This delay requires a build-up similar to spring training before he can rejoin the rotation. The Yankees’ pitching staff is currently facing multiple injuries, including Gerrit Cole, Clayton Beeter, JT Brubaker, Jake Cousins, Scott Effross, and Marcus Stroman, who are on either the 15-day or 60-day injured list.
Progress in Rehabilitation
Jake Cousins is making progress in his rehabilitation. He is throwing from the mound and will begin live sessions next week as part of his recovery from a right flexor strain. Cousins cannot be activated until mid-May, but his progress is encouraging for the Yankees. Meanwhile, third baseman DJ LeMahieu continues his rehab assignment with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after performing well in Double-A Somerset. LeMahieu was placed on the injured list due to a left calf strain suffered in spring training. Injuries have been an issue for LeMahieu in recent seasons; he played only 67 games last year with subpar performance stats.
Relief Pitcher Returns
Relief pitcher Jonathan Loáisiga made a successful return by throwing a scoreless inning in his first action of the season during a game between the Tarpons and Dunedin Blue Jays. Loáisiga is starting his rehab assignment following an internal brace procedure on his elbow last year. His return is a boost for the Yankees’ bullpen, which has been stretched thin due to injuries.
Weather Disrupts Schedule
The Yankees faced a scheduling disruption when their game against the Toronto Blue Jays, originally scheduled for Saturday, April 26, was postponed due to inclement weather. This game was the middle game of a three-game series between the two AL East rivals and was initially set to be played at 1:05 p.m. ET. The postponed game will now be played as part of a single-admission doubleheader on Sunday, April 27. The first game on Sunday will start at 1:35 p.m. ET, with the second game beginning approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first.
Doubleheader Details
Fans who had tickets for Saturday’s postponed game cannot use them for Sunday’s doubleheader but can exchange them for tickets to a similar future game. The Yankees made the decision to postpone the game hours in advance, allowing fans ample time to adjust their schedules. The postponement is disappointing for the Yankees, who were eager to move past Friday night’s loss where they blew a lead in the eighth inning against the Blue Jays. Despite Friday’s loss, the Yankees remain in first place in the AL East with a record of 15-11 but are closely followed by the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays.
Pitching Matchups
Saturday’s postponed game was supposed to feature a pitching duel between Max Fried (Yankees) and Kevin Gausman (Blue Jays). For Sunday’s doubleheader, Max Fried is expected to pitch in the opener with Clarke Schmidt starting the second game for the Yankees. Kevin Gausman and Chris Bassitt are likely starters for Toronto, though their order is not yet confirmed. Friday’s previous matchup was also a pitchers’ duel between Jose Berrios and Carlos Carrasco.
Key Performances Expected
Sunday’s games might be low-scoring affairs again and could come down to key performances from superstars Aaron Judge (Yankees) or Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Blue Jays). The Yankees will rely on their star players to deliver strong performances to secure victories in the doubleheader. Additional MLB news and rumors can be found through Robert Murray’s work on The Baseball Insiders podcast or by subscribing to The Moonshot newsletter and joining their Discord community.
In summary, the Yankees are navigating a challenging week with injuries and weather disruptions. The team remains focused on maintaining their position in the AL East and overcoming the obstacles they face. Fans are hopeful for the return of key players and strong performances in the upcoming games.