Make It Stop: Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton Will Both Likely Miss Opening Day
Today Brian Cashman told us that Aaron Judge is unlikely to be on the Opening Day roster when the Yankees head to Baltimore to take on the Orioles on March 26th. Giancarlo Stanton, as we know, will join him. That now completes the trifecta for the starting outfield of the New York Yankees opening the season on the I.L. along with Aaron Hicks recovering from Tommy John surgery. Listen, it's not great, but it could be worse?
The scariest thing right now is the unknown with Judge. What is actually going on? It started off initially with shoulder discomfort and now that has moved to his right pec area. What the hell does that mean? Is this coronavirus? Judge is scheduled for more tests today so that they can get to the bottom of this. I would imagine if it was a torn pec we'd know already right? I feel like it's something that pops up on the scan immediately, but what do I know I'm no doctor. Maybe they're trying to still determine the severity. I spent the better part of last night trying to find out recovery timetables on torn pecs for baseball players. If surgery is in play then it's really bad news obviously. Right now it appears that's not being talked about unless Cashman and Boone are lying straight to our internet faces.
If it just means G and Judge are missing just the beginning part of the season then I'm completely unbothered. Would it be nice to see them out there manning the outfield for Gerrit Cole in Camden Yards? Of course, but let's say they have to both miss the better part of April and then they come back. That's completely fine in my book. The baseball season is soooooo long. If they missed 3 weeks we wouldn't even remember that in August. Everyone is just overreacting right now because of how last year's decimation. I guess that's understandable. I'm trying to remain calm.
For now though at least, the Yankees are set up pretty well to handle this. Brett Gardner is still here and refuses to die. He's our centerfielder. Left and right are a bit of a mystery but I would predict Tauchman will be in left field and Clint Frazier will be in right with Andujar being the 4th OF/DH. Not many teams can lose 3 starting outfielders and have this kind of talent ready to step in.
This is a very, very important time for Clint Frazier. VERY. This is it. He's going to get a ton of at bats in spring and will definitely be out there in Baltimore on March 26th. He's changed his batting stance which seems to emulate a little Juan Soto with the front foot placement and he's got a new attitude. I'm excited for him. Dude has so much fucking talent. Let's see it all come together finally.
So TLDR: I'm cautiously optimistic, but equally scared with the upcoming tests Judge has to face. On a positive note I'm hitting publish on this blog and heading to George M. Steinbrenner Field to see the Yankees take on the Red Sox. Let's have a day.