Roster questions abound with two weeks to opener
TAMPA — The Yankees were off Thursday and they have two weeks left before they open the season in The Bronx against the Blue Jays. They still have a lot to decide, however, before April 1, with 11 Grapefruit League games remaining.
Who’s on the bench?
Brett Gardner and Kyle Higashioka — if he’s healthy — seem assured of spots. Then there’s Tyler Wade, who provides defensive versatility, but still has options and hasn’t proven he can produce at the plate. The use of Gio Urshela at shortstop this spring has raised some doubt about whether Wade will make the team, but it seems unlikely Urshela would serve as Gleyber Torres’ primary backup at the position. Mike Tauchman, coming off a down season, has the ability to play all three outfield positions and has two homers this spring after going without one in 2020. Mike Ford’s plate discipline and power have impressed the Yankees, but he is also coming off a dreadful shortened season.
Then there are the two veteran bats in camp on minor league deals: Jay Bruce and Derek Dietrich. Manager Aaron Boone and others have raved about Bruce’s fitness. He also has shown pop at the plate and looked better than expected in both corner-outfield spots, as well as first base. Dietrich can play around the infield and his lefty swing should help him take advantage of the short porch in right, but he hasn’t shown much yet at the plate.
Who’s in the bullpen?
There was probably only one spot open in the pen before Zack Britton went down with a bone chip in his left elbow, which will force him to miss a few months. The Yankees have to fill that void — both on the roster and in the back end of the bullpen. Journeyman left-hander Lucas Luetge has continued his strong spring with 13 strikeouts in 6 ¹/3 shutout innings. Nick Nelson, who appeared in 11 games for the Yankees last season, has also been solid, with 6 ¹/3 shutout innings. Jonathan Loaisiga has impressed, but Boone pointed to two walks in his most recent outing as something to watch.
Then there’s Luis Cessa, whom the Yankees still value because he can pitch multiple innings. The Yankees are confident the rest of the back of the bullpen, Chad Green, Darren O’Day, Justin Wilson and closer Aroldis Chapman will have the depth to make up for Britton before his expected return around June.
Who’s the fifth starter?
Domingo German has pitched as well as — if not better than — any pitcher in camp. Deivi Garcia also has been impressive, but the 21year-old could be stashed at the alternate site to open the season. Boone has talked frequently about being creative with the rotation at the start, taking advantage of days off and also looking to protect his entire rotation following last year’s shortened season, which limited the amount of innings pitchers threw.
Newcomers Corey Kluber (who was scheduled to throw live batting practice Thursday at the team’s player development complex) and Jameson Taillon have barely pitched the past two seasons due to injuries, so the Yankees will be cautious with their usage, as well. That is why Boone has stressed that both German and Garcia, as well as others, will be called upon often during the season.