WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The odd man out Sunday was Trent Grisham, who was not within the beginning lineup in opposition to righty Luis Severino.
Each day the Yankees are sitting a participant who deserves to begin due to the so-called good drawback: They’ve 4 outfielders and a chosen hitter who’re all hitting.
It’s laborious to bench Grisham, Jasson Domínguez or Cody Bellinger, they usually can not take away Aaron Decide’s bat.
If one among that group serves as DH, they might lose Ben Rice’s bat from the order (until Rice strikes to first base, which might push out Paul Goldschmidt).
Rice’s bat is also troublesome to pluck from the lineup, a truth bolstered by his fifth-inning grand slam that added some separation in a 12-2 blowout over the A’s at Sutter Well being Park.
The dilemma could possibly be solved if, say, Rice (already playable at first and in a position to catch, subbed in to work with Tyler Matzek in Sunday’s ninth inning) mastered third base, however supervisor Aaron Boone mentioned they’re nonetheless not contemplating asking Rice to play one other place.
At the least not but. If everybody stays wholesome and Giancarlo Stanton returns, the Yankees would have another bat to shoehorn into the lineup.
“When we get to a situation, if we got to get a little creative with things, we’ll do that,” Boone mentioned when requested if they’ve considered asking Rice or any outfielders to be taught second or third base.
Boone has maintained that he’s pleased with the present configuration, which primarily signifies that he can afford to offer everybody (aside from Decide) a time off every week.
“I think so far it’s worked out really well,” Boone mentioned. “Keeping all these guys playing basically every day but also that one day they circle in and get some rest I think is hopefully something that’s valuable moving forward throughout the season and serves us well as we get deep into the season.”
Rice actually regarded contemporary in smacking his first profession grand slam. The primary baseman/DH/catcher has taken satisfaction in bouncing round to seek out any manner into the lineup.
“It’s good to be as flexible as you can, make sure you can be plugged in wherever they need,” he mentioned.
DJ LeMahieu went 1-for-4 with a stroll in what could have been his last rehab recreation with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Boone mentioned the infielder “could be” in Seattle with the crew starting Monday.
When LeMahieu is activated, he’s anticipated to see most of his time at second base. Boone mentioned “we’ll see” relating to how typically the 36-year-old, who has been so ravaged by accidents the previous few years, will play.
“I don’t necessarily see every day, but we’ll see how he’s doing and how he navigates it,” Boone mentioned. “But I definitely see him as a piece of the puzzle.”
LeMahieu’s time will depend upon how he’s feeling and the way he’s hitting. After a number of tough, injury-plagued seasons — he has batted .232 with a .663 OPS since 2023 — he has inspired throughout a rehab project that has had a hiccup (a hip injection that Boone referred to as “preemptive”) however no true setback.
In 9 video games with SWB and Double-A Somerset, LeMahieu has gone 12-for-27 (.444) with a homer and a double.
“Hopefully he’s in the best position to give himself a really good chance to be successful,” Boone mentioned.
Jonathan Loáisiga (proper elbow surgical procedure restoration) threw a scoreless inning with SWB. He’s anticipated to pitch once more Tuesday and will pitch back-to-back days subsequent weekend as he completes a rehab project.
“That’s kind of the plan right now,” Boone mentioned of Loáisiga, who has struck out 9 and allowed one run in 6 ¹/₃ minor league innings. “But we also feel like he’s also close to ready.”
Boone mentioned he nonetheless didn’t know when Stanton would start a rehab project, however the slugger has been progressing. After taking reside at-bats for the primary time this 12 months Tuesday, Stanton has been working and hitting off the high-velocity Trajekt machine.
“He’s been ramping up quite a bit this week,” Boone mentioned.
