As the season continues so too continues our look at the New York Yankees. And three players playing well while three more struggle. And check out some previous installments of this list.
1 Up: Didi Gregorius
The latest batch of injury updates are reporting good news for the Yankee Shortstop. And as long as there are no setbacks, Didi should rejoin the Yankees by mid-June. This will be a welcome addition on both sides of the baseball.
1 Down: Miguel Andújar
It hasn’t been all that long since Andújar returned from his initial stint on the Injured List. But he is headed back to the IL and likely to the surgeon’s table as well. Since his return, Miguel just hasn’t looked like the hitter we have all become accustomed to at the dish. The rest of Andújar’s 2019 season is probably gone. And also part of 2020 is likely lost.
2 Up: Gio Urshela
The newly christened Yankee savior, Gio Urshela has been getting it done on both sides of the ball for the Yankees. Over his last seven games, Urshela is slashing .348/.348/.565. And if you stretch that back to the last fifteen games, the slash line improves to .400/.438/.578. And add in underrated top-notch defense as well and you have a clear cut favorite for a Yankees representative in Cleveland for the All-Star game.
2 Down: Giancarlo Stanton
Giancarlo Stanton has been on the IL since April 1st with a left bicep strain. And since then report after report has left the prognosis of Stanton’s recovery uncertain at best. And we are still without a timeline for Big G’s return even today May, 15th. What was initially a bicep issue turned into a shoulder problem. And no matter what the injury is one thing is certain, Giancarlo Stanton is a big piece in this lineup. And his return would help boost the offense tremendously.
3 Up: Aaron Hicks
If the Yankees can somehow play a game this week. (As the rain has pushed back two games so far.) Aaron Hicks will be making his 2019 season debut for the Bronx Bombers. Hicks is a very significant piece for the Bombers not just in the lineup. But even more so in the field. The Yankee Center Fielder is arguably the second best centerfielder in baseball behind Mike Trout. Injuries have always held Hicks back from achieving league-wide recognition but a strong and healthy remainder of the season will go a long way.
3 Down: Michael Tauchman
A casualty of the return of Aaron Hicks and the 25-man roster rule was that of Michael Tauchman. Tauchman was brought in as depth but found himself playing more often than expected. Tauchman didn’t have the greatest of performances during his time in the Bronx. But he played solid defense at all three outfield positions and hit a few timely home runs. If Aaron Hicks and Clint Frazier remain healthy and can play productive baseball, this will likely have been the end of Tauchman’s time in Pinstripes.
B.O.L.O: Kendrys Morales
A man on the move is Kendrys Morales. Kendrys started the year with Toronto, then moved onto Oakland’s roster and now is headed to New York. Morales has had a decent Major League career. But being cut from two underperforming teams leaves one questioning what Kendrys has left in his bat. Thus leaving the Yankee Universe looking forward to what is to come for one reason or another.
