LOS ANGELES — Aaron Boone couldn’t assist however flash a smile Friday when requested the way it felt to incorporate Giancarlo Stanton and Josh Donaldson within the Yankees’ lineup for the primary time shortly.
“You’re talking about two sluggers in there that are just gonna add a little bit of length,” the supervisor stated earlier than the Bombers’ series-opener in opposition to the Dodgers.
Stanton and Donaldson have been out since April 15 and April 5, respectively, because of hamstring accidents. The Yankees requested Stanton to bat fourth and DH on Friday, whereas Donaldson hit fifth and performed third base.
Anthony Rizzo (neck) additionally returned to the three-hole and first base after a number of video games of relaxation.
Boone stated that Stanton and Donaldson will seemingly play in simply two of the Yankees’ video games in Los Angeles. The skipper reiterated that Donaldson will play usually because the Yankees rotate their surplus of infielders, whereas Stanton seemingly received’t play the sphere for a few weeks as he continues to construct up defensively.
Boone added that Willie Calhoun, who has hit properly recently, will issue into the Yankees’ left subject plans with Stanton again.
Stanton obtained off to a robust begin earlier than his hamstring, slashing .269/.296/.558 with 4 homers and 11 RBI over 13 video games. Donaldson, in the meantime, picked up simply two hits in 5 video games earlier than getting damage.
The hitters weren’t the one Yankees to come back off the injured listing for this collection in opposition to the Dodgers, as Tommy Kahnle was additionally activated. The right-handed reliever had his third stint with the Yankees delayed as a result of bicep tendinitis, however the Yankees are blissful to have him of their bullpen once more after he appeared in 13 video games for Los Angeles final 12 months.
“Excited to get him back in the mix, knowing what he’s capable of,” Boone stated.
CABRERA’S DEMOTION
The Yankees needed to make a number of corresponding strikes to activate that trio. Optioning Oswaldo Cabrera to Triple-A was considered one of them.
“I think it’d be good for him right now to go down and just take a step back,” Boone stated, including that the 2 had a great discuss in regards to the demotion. “Even though he deals with things so well and has such a good head on his shoulders and plays with maturity, I do think he’s pressed a little bit. Hopefully he can go down there and get some regular at-bats, kind of get settled, work on some things, and certainly be back in the mix. He’s a big part of what we’re doing here.”
Cabrera, 24, energized the Yankees when he debuted final 12 months, however he slashed simply .195/.246/.292 with three homers and 15 RBI over 50 video games this season. He went 3-for-36 (.111) over his final 40 main league plate appearances.
Boone stated that he needs to see Cabrera get again to “really owning and dominating the fastball” at Triple-A. The supervisor added that Cabrera will work on some mechanical issues whereas taking part in everywhere in the diamond.
POWERFUL PERAZA
Speaking of Triple-A, Oswald Peraza has been mashing there since returning to the minors on May 14. In 14 video games since then getting into Friday, he was slashing .371/.409/.887 with 10 dingers and 16 RBI.
Boone has taken discover of the shortstop prospect’s latest success.
“Oz is doing great,” the supervisor stated. “I got the sense, even from the end of spring training, his focus has been really strong. Obviously, came up here for a short time and got into games and contributed before the ankle injury, and he’s really picked up where he left off, and that’s good to see.”
While Peraza has been raking within the minors, Anthony Volpe has had his ups and downs because the Yankees’ beginning shortstop. The 22-year-old hit .174 in May, and he entered Friday’s sport slashing .194/.272/.358 with eight homers, 24 RBI and 13 stolen bases.
Boone, nonetheless, doesn’t imagine that Peraza’s surge is placing stress on Volpe.
“Anthony and Oz both support each other and know that each guy is going to be a really good player in this league for a long time,” Boone stated. “So I don’t think there’s any of that.”
ANOTHER RODON BULLPEN
Carlos Rodon threw a two-up bullpen Friday, totaling about 30 pitches whereas his fastball sat between 90 and 93 mph, per pitching coach Matt Blake. Blake added that Rodon might throw one other bullpen in L.A. this weekend, or he might transfer to stay hitters following the collection.
PLAYER OF THE MONTH
Aaron Judge received the American League Player of the Month Award for May. His sixth such honor, Judge hit .342 with 12 house runs, 25 RBI, 5 doubles, one stolen base, 23 runs scored, an .882 slugging share and a .474 on-base share in 21 video games final month.
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman received the award within the National League.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com