The injury bug has descended for real and it couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Yankees, who were already reeling from loss after loss (with one win wedged in there just to tease us). The long-time patients of the DL are CC, Ellsbury and Bird, but the latest arrival – and it pains me to utter this guy’s name because he’s been playing so well) is Aaron Hicks. Ugh. When I read about his oblique and that he’d be out for three-to-four weeks, my heart sank. And then we have Matt Holliday and his mysterious allergy. I’d thought that was a one-time problem after he ate breakfast in Oakland. (Something in the cereal, perhaps? Like maybe he’s sensitive to almond milk; my husband is.) He got a shot of Benadryl as we all would, and steroids too, but he’s still not feeling tip top, which is odd. Allergies don’t usually last unless the allergen is still in your system. OK, I’m not a doctor, but it’s weird.
The good news was that Tanaka pitched a gem over the weekend against his countryman, Darvish, and the Rangers. The bad news was that Pineda was homer-prone yet again yesterday. The Yankees nearly crawled out from the deep hole they were in, but they went down to defeat and it was depressing.
Aaron Judge aside, this current short-handed team isn’t strong enough to win ballgames on a regular basis the way the Yanks were early in the season. And I did enjoy the winning. Who wouldn’t? I’d love to be optimistic about this road trip, beginning with the White Sox, but I fear the good times are slipping away. Someone talk me out of it.
Wish I could, Jane, but I’m pretty discouraged right now. To look at the stats and see the Yankees are 2-8 in their last ten games – painful! The only saving grace is Boston’s inability to maintain a win streak as well. However, the Rays are coming on and the Orioles are reviving so … to think just two weeks ago we were all giddy over the smack down these Yankees had administered to the Birds!
My family and I are set to attend the July 5 game against the Blue Jays. We’re sitting on the right field side so as to have a better look at Judge. We’re taking with us an older neighbor who has never been so I really hope the team has reassembled and is starting to win again. To lose four out of six at home – like I said, painful!
The situation is discouraging, Audrey, and I didn’t even mention Castro and his aching wrist in my post! But yes, Boston’s inability to win has helped. We just can’t count on it. I’m excited for you that you’ll be close to Judge. I bet you’ll be surprised how big/tall he really is!
Yeah sorry Jane but we’d have to be realistic. The pitching is crashing back down to earth and so much to the point that the offense, as good as it is, can’t always bail them out all the time. Call ups or trades need to be done and fast to fortify the rotation. Tanaka being ace again will be a HUGE help but we still need more help.
I’m not a fan of them rushing Ellsbury back. He usually plays pretty badly when he comes back from injury so we likely can’t count on him for any decent production for awhile. I would’ve like to have seen either Frazier or Fowler to have come up. Ells and Gardner need plenty of rest to stay sharp so they would’ve gotten enough playing time. Their stats in AAA are more than worthy of them being called up to help.
I agree about rushing Ellsbury back, Leo, which is why the Aaron Hicks injury was such a blow. We’ll really miss having him out there every day. It’ll be interesting to see how Cashman plays the situation in general, with the team “crashing back to earth,” as you say. Is he rebuilding or going for a playoff berth?
I think we’ve rebuilt very well already from last season and don’t need to do it again. We’ve acquired Torres, Frazier, Sheffield, and other pieces last year which boosted us to the number 2 farm system. We also have established Sanchez, Judge, Severino, and Montgomery. We have more prospects than positions available so we should start trading them for positions of need for the major league team like starting pitching.
What I meant is does Cashman stick with prospects, Leo, or does he make trades to bolster the team’s chances for the fall?
Oh no guys. Now Castro is down injured so it’s yet another big blow to the offense. Hoping that somehow we play just well enough to maintain first place. Wade has been called up to replace him.
I was so bummed when I heard the Castro news, Leo. I hope Wade does as well as Tyler Austin did last night!