With Domingo German likely suspended and Aaron Hicks and Dellin Betances hurt how will the Yankees shape their postseason roster?
The 2019 postseason is less than two weeks away and Thursday the Yankees were dealt another curveball. 18 game-winner Domingo German was placed on administrative leave while the MLB investigates domestic violence allegations.
With German out of the picture, Dellin Betances suffering a ruptured Achilles and Aaron Hicks likely done for the year the Yankees postseason roster is starting to take a clearer shape.
Here’s an updated prediction on who the Yankees will bring to October.
Catchers (2)
Gary Sanchez & Austin Romine
It appears Gary Sanchez won’t miss the postseason despite currently being out of action with a groin strain. Austin Romine is the obvious choice as his backup.
Infielders (7)
Edwin Encarnacion, Luke Voit, Gleyber Torres, Didi Gregorius, DJ Lemahieu, Gio Urshela & Tyler Wade
Like Sanchez, it appears Edwin Encarnacion will be good to go for the postseason. With that, there’s really only one real battle for a bench spot. It’s likely a three-man race between Tyler Wade, Mike Ford and Clint Fraizer. Expect Wade to win that battle due to his speed and the Yankees not calling up Terrance Gore who many believed was signed to be the Yankees September and October pinch-runner.
Outfielders (4)
Aaron Judge, Brett Gardner, Giancarlo Stanton & Cameron Maybin
With Giancarlo Stanton back in the mix and both Aaron Hicks and Mike Tauchman likely done for the year the Yankees outfield is all but set unless Fraizer sneaks onto the roster.
Starting Pitchers (4)
James Paxton, Masahiro Tanaka, Luis Severino & J.A. Happ
With German out of the picture J.A. Happ now is nearly a lock to make the postseason roster. After an up and down spring and summer Happ has been masterful in September. Happ will likely join another hot arm in James Paxton, Masahiro Tanaka and Luis Severino in the Yankees postseason starting rotation.
Relievers (8)
C.C. Sabathia, Jordan Montgomery, Luis Cessa, Chad Green, Tommy Kahnle, Adam Ottavino, Zack Britton, Aroldis Chapman
The two starters likely to shift to the bullpen are C.C. Sabathia and Jordan Montgomery. With Chad Green, Tommy Kahnle, Adam Ottavino, Zack Britton, Aroldis Chapman all locks there’s only one roster spot left. This will likely be a toss-up between Nester Cortes Jr., Luis Cessa and Cory Gearrin. With Cortes Jr up and down and Gearrin struggling since joining the Yankees in August Cessa may be the man to win the job.