LOS ANGELES – The Yankees’ first west coast journey of the season proved profitable, because the staff went 4-2 over six video games in Seattle and Los Angeles.
The staff received its first two video games in opposition to the Mariners earlier than getting blanked by George Kirby. A less-than-electric Luis Severino then began the Dodgers set on a bitter word earlier than the Yankees received their final two video games at Chavez Ravine.
The third-place Bombers, who had an off day on Monday, are actually 36-25 this season.
While the Yankees’ westward expedition was fruitful, it was additionally painful. With a brand new crop of accidents main the way in which, listed below are some takeaways from the membership’s street journey.
The Injuries Never End
The Yankees had been thrilled to get three gamers – Giancarlo Stanton, Josh Donaldson and Tommy Kahnle – again for the opening Dodgers sport, however that very same contest additionally noticed Ryan Weber (forearm) and Greg Allen (hip flexor) get damage. Aaron Judge then banged his proper massive toe whereas making a spectacular, gate-breaking catch on Saturday. That compelled him out of the lineup Sunday, which was additionally when the Yankees revealed that Nestor Cortes is probably going happening the IL with shoulder soreness.
The Yankees additionally misplaced Harrison Bader to a hamstring pressure in Seattle. A stiff neck stored Anthony Rizzo on the bench in opposition to the Mariners, however he performed in all three Dodgers video games.
Pain has plagued the Yankees all yr, and so they as soon as once more have an injured listing within the double-digits. Cortes may also give them three starters on the IL once more, as Carlos Rodon and Frankie Montas are nonetheless on the shelf.
However, the staff principally received in varied methods out west, and has been rolling for a bit regardless of some early disappointments and being brief staffed since Opening Day.
“Just credit to a lot of different people. Obviously, Judge, Rizzo and Gleyber [Torres] have been constants for us in their consistency,” Aaron Boone mentioned. “But we’ve gotten contributions everywhere from guys that aren’t even nonetheless right here. Some successful issues are occurring, which is sweet. It doesn’t imply everybody’s sizzling or everybody’s doing nice. Some guys are struggling. But whenever you do issues that show you how to win video games, that’s what it’s about. A number of these issues are occurring. It’s only a credit score to them.
“Win or lose, we’re hooked up on that bench and ready to go.”
Judge Didn’t Say He’s Fine
Judge nearly all the time says he’s okay after struggling an harm, even when he’s not. But that wasn’t the case Sunday when he spoke to reporters about his toe. He mentioned not taking part in Sunday was “precautionary,” and the plan was for him to endure assessments in New York. But the slugger appeared resigned to the opportunity of touchdown on the IL.
“I really don’t care at this point,” Judge mentioned. “If I’m on it, I’m on it. I’m trying not to be, but I got no answer yet. I’m hoping today and tomorrow, having a little bit of rest, it’ll be good to go hopefully on Tuesday. We’ll take it day-to-day right now.”
Judge mentioned “yeah” when requested if he’ll get X-rays in New York earlier than including that he wasn’t precisely positive what assessments awaited him. He additionally talked about MRIs.
An X-ray would recommend there’s concern that Judge’s toe is damaged. When requested if he thinks he has a break, Judge mentioned, “It’s tough to say. I’ve never broken a toe. So we’ll see what the tests say.”
Domingo German Has Been Yanks’ Second-Best Starter
Domingo German has not been good this season, however he’s definitely been the Yankees’ second-best starter with the staff’s rotation battling accidents and youthful rising pains.
German has a 3.69 ERA over 11 begins after holding the Dodgers to 1 earned run over 6.2 innings on Sunday, his second begin since a 10-game sticky stuff suspension. The righty logged the Yankees’ longest begin of the sequence after Severino and his velo-lacking fastball lasted 4 innings on Friday. Gerrit Cole, in the meantime, exited Saturday’s sport after six environment friendly frames on account of cramps.
Command helped German, as he threw 71 of his 99 pitches for strikes.
“That’s what command looks like,” Boone mentioned. “That’s big-time command. That’s what you have to have when you go up against a lineup like the Dodgers.”
German is now first amongst Yankees starters in WHIP; second in ERA, innings pitched and bWAR; and third in strikeouts and ERA+.
DJ LeMahieu Needs To Be Better
As Boone talked about, some Yankees are struggling. DJ LeMahieu is definitely one among them.
The veteran is hitting .206 since April 26, and he’s been even worse over his final 15 video games. LeMahieu has slashed .153/.194/.254 with one double, one triple, one dwelling run and three RBI over that span. He’s additionally struck out 18 occasions whereas strolling 4 occasions. One of these walks was intentional.
“What I’ve noticed is, within the at-bat, that one good swing he’s getting off where he’s getting a pitch, it’s foul ball right now,” Boone mentioned. “Fouled straight again. Hits some balls laborious over right here foul, after which now down within the rely, has expanded a bit of greater than he usually would.
“When you get that pitch within an at-bat, you got to make sure that’s the one you put in play with authority. So just going through a little stretch where that hasn’t happened.”
Boone added that LeMahieu is wholesome after battling foot/toe points final season.
Regarded as a contact hitter, LeMahieu is putting out 27.3% of the time, a career-worst by a large margin. But he has a mean exit velocity that matches what he did when he received a batting title in 2020, and his Barrel% is a career-high. LeMahieu’s Hard-Hit% can also be the best it’s been since he completed fourth in MVP voting in 2019.
LeMahieu’s underlying numbers recommend a turnaround is feasible, however he wants to begin displaying outcomes – particularly if Judge misses time.
Schmidt Showing Growth
Clarke Schmidt hasn’t pitched effectively total this yr, however the rotation alternative is coming off his greatest begin of the season. Schmidt threw 5.2 scoreless innings in opposition to the Mariners on May 31 whereas strolling one and putting out seven.
The younger righty has allowed simply three earned runs over his final three begins.
Schmidt, Boone and pitching coach Matt Blake attributed the pitcher’s current success to a mixture of execution, an aggressive mindset, and a greater understanding of his beginning function and how one can use his pitch bundle, which added a cutter this spring.
“We made some adjustments,” mentioned Schmidt, who throws once more Tuesday, “and we’re continuing to learn and grow and mature as a starting pitcher.”
No Natural Centerfielder
The accidents to Bader and Allen left the Yankees with out a pure heart fielder on their energetic roster.
“It’s not the ideal situation,” Boone mentioned, “but it’s things that come up within the course of the season that you got to deal with.”
Isiah Kiner-Falefa, an infielder by commerce, has performed comparatively effectively within the outfield after studying heart and proper in spring coaching. The versatile Oswaldo Cabrera, in the meantime, will work on the place, per Boone, after principally taking part in in left this season.
If Judge avoids the IL, he has some expertise in heart, too. But Boone mentioned he was “a little reluctant” to make use of Judge there earlier than he damage his toe.
“Doesn’t mean I won’t,” the supervisor mentioned. “I just don’t necessarily want to do it right now.”
Boone didn’t elaborate when requested why.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com