Impending Yankees injury returns could make for complicated situation (2024)

In the only kinda game that would be played Tuesday at Yankee Stadium, Anthony Rizzo stood near the home dugout swinging a bat behind protective netting, motioned toward the mound and said to Aaron Boone and a few coaches:

“That’s our trade deadline pickup out there.”

Rizzo was gesturing toward Clarke Schmidt, who was warming up to begin a live batting practice session that would ultimately thrill him and the Yankee brass, make him feel more certain he is on a path to help over the last month of the season.

This was the business at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, with the scheduled opener of a three-game set vs. the Angels postponed due to the forecast for storms and a doubleheader scheduled for Wednesday.

Instead, about four hours before the game was supposed to begin, and with gray clouds thickening overhead, Rizzo and Jon Berti took grounders on the left side of the infield during a pre-batting practice period while Jazz Chisholm continued to work on his new home at third. Jose Trevino, clad in full catching gear, joined Carlos Narvaez and Ben Rice in taking balls whipped into the dirt by a pitching machine. Rizzo, Berti and Trevino would move on to live batting practice off of Schmidt and Cody Poteet. Ian Hamilton would throw a bullpen.

In the post-trade deadline period, getting injured players healthy and calling up a worthy prospect are the last ways to fortify a roster. Boone does not want to get seduced into conversations about when exactly players will return and the implications involved. Which is understood. Rosters are living organisms, changing shape persistently. What, for example, are the chances the Yankees spend the rest of the year without others getting injured or none of the currently injured enduring setbacks?

Consider that when the Yankee rotation was excelling 1-through-5 for the first two-plus months, there was wonder who would be removed when Gerrit Cole returned from his elbow malady. But Schmidt broke down well before that, straining a lat while last pitching May 26.

But he is on the radar now. He threw a 20-pitch session and is expected to repeat that Saturday. He then perhaps can graduate to a rehab stint and — if all goes well — be in play for the Yankees late this month.

The plan is to build Schmidt up to start. Schmidt says that is what he wants, believing he will find his way to playoff starts. And why not? He was ninth in ERA, at 2.36, at the time of his injury. And the Yanks have obvious rotation concerns as they monitor whether Luis Gil will hit an innings wall after missing most of the last two seasons following Tommy John surgery, whether Marcus Stroman can rediscover his better form and whether Nestor Cortes might be more valuable — with a staff in full — helping the Yanks as a lefty out of the pen.

Poteet, who pitched well in four Yankee starts (2.14 ERA) before straining his right triceps, would provide insurance along with Will Warren, who is scheduled to be called up to make his second career start in Wednesday’s nightcap.

The least complicated return would be for Trevino (quad strain), who Boone said could begin a rehab as early as Sunday. Narvaez will be sent to the minors. But will Trevino’s role change? When he last played on July 16, Trevino had started exactly half the Yankees’ 96 games. But Austin Wells has started 15 of 17 in his absence, performed brilliantly with a .316 average and .949 OPS to move into the cleanup role and become an important lineup protector of Aaron Judge.

Trevino is a pitcher whisperer who the staff strongly trusts. He will play way more than Narvaez — but half the time?

Boone described Rizzo as making substantive advances now from his right forearm fracture. Rice has acquitted himself well with a precocious feel for the strike zone and easy lefty power — items that once made Rizzo special. But the veteran had just a .680 OPS in 70 games and eight homers, or one more than Rice has in 37 games to go with a .721 OPS. Rizzo almost certainly will get his spot back. But the Yankees are playing for everything, so how far will they go to see if Rizzo can revive?

Berti’s return from a left calf strain became a little less imperative with the addition of Chisholm’s athleticism at third. Still, Berti’s speed, versatility and righty bat would be a supplementary benefit. But do they wait until Sept. 1, when rosters go to 28 and, thus, 14 position players? If not, they would (with no other injuries) probably have to option Oswaldo Cabrera, who also brings energy and versatility to a depth role.

As for Hamilton (lat strain), the Yankees have in his absence done what they did with Hamilton — elevated relievers from the scrapheap to effectiveness. Jake Cousins, Tim Hill and Michael Tonkin have combined for 65 Yankee games, 84 ¹/₃ innings, a .189 batting average against and a 2.56 ERA. Cousins has an option, but he has eased into Boone’s circle of trust. Hamilton has an option, too. Again, on Sept. 1, the Yanks could go to 14 pitchers.

And, as always, the Yankees are hoping they have to make all these devilish choices because everyone stayed healthy and effective.