With the news Joba Chamberlain has a strained oblique and is headed for the disabled list, the New York Yankees face more roster changes after a hectic April. Despite having the second best record in the AL, New York also has nine players currently on the DL and numerous options facing unique situations preventing them from getting to the Bronx.
Here’s how the roster can evolve over the next month in New York:
Currently on the DL:
Bullpen: Cesar Cabral, Joba Chamberlain
Outfield: Curtis Granderson
Infield: Mark Teixeira, Alex Rodriguez, Kevin Youkilis, Francisco Cervelli, Derek Jeter
Ineligible: Ronnier Mustelier, David Adams, Corban Joseph, Chien-Ming Wang
In total, 14 players can be playing roles throughout the year and those are just the obvious options. Of the 14 options, we could see all but Jeter and A-Rod by the end of June.
With Nova out, David Phelps is currently in the rotation. He just delivered 5.2 innings and gave up four runs in a no-decision to the Astros. When Nova returns, it’s likely he, Phelps and Pineda would be competing for the fifth spot in the rotation assuming the other starters remain healthy. One pitcher who is not currently considered an option is Chien-Ming Wang, who is finally healthy and off to a solid start in AAA Scranton.
Through 19 innings, Wang has given up just 16 hits, has a complete game and a 0.95 ERA to compliment a .229 BAA. He represents valuable insurance in the event anyone suffers a setback or numerous injuries occur. Vidal Nuno, another starting option, is currently in the Yankees’ bullpen to compensate for Adam Warren‘s inability to pitch well, provide a second lefty arm and now to carry some of the load with Chamberlain out.
Pineda, for the record, was clocked as high as 95 MPH in extended spring training on Thursday.
Right now, Phelps, Warren and Nuno are in the majors. By June, Nova, Pineda or even Wang could be in the Bronx instead.
Offensively, things are even less obvious. One of the reasons New York has stayed successful and posted a 17-10 record has been production from unexpected places on offense. While the rotation and bullpen were supposed to be strong (helped by Mariano Rivera‘s 11 for 11 job at closer), the lineup was a major question mark.
So far: Travis Hafner, Vernon Wells, Lyle Overbay and Chris Stewart have performed about as well as possible. As of the past week or two, Ichiro and Eduardo Nunez have started to emerge and awaken from extended slumps as well.
But Granderson has started to rehab and Teixeira is swinging a bat. Youkilis is only expected to miss two weeks and A-Rod has resumed baseball activity. Jeter, still in a walking boot, is still working out his upper body.
By the end of May, Granderson and Youkilis should be back. A few weeks later, it’s not inconceivable Teixeira and Cervelli return. A couple of months later, it will be A-Rod and Jeter’s turns.
Meanwhile, Ronnie Mustelier and David Adams represent minor league depth and major league caliber bats. Jayson Nix is currently the starting third baseman, but by the end of the year he would be the fourth best option. Mustelier was just activated in AAA on Wednesday, starting his season after suffering an injury the last week of Spring Training. Mustelier can play third and the outfield and hits righty, but he is a natural replacement for Ben Francisco currently on the roster. Though unfortunate since Brennan Boesch has potential, he is likely the odd man out when Granderson is ready.
The Yankees outfielders could consist of: Wells, Ichiro, Granderson, Gardner and Mustelier just a few weeks from now.
Adams is not eligible for a callup until May 15th since he was released and re-signed during spring training. He can play second base and hold his own offensively. It’s very possible Jayson Nix‘s time in the majors is limited since Adams, Mustelier and Nunez can cover all of the infield positions.
This would mean: Youkilis, Nunez (and eventually Jeter), Cano and Overbay (and eventually Teixiera) would be starters, with Nunez, Adams and Mustelier on the bench. Of course, when A-Rod is healthy, Mustelier could be the odd man out, but only if Youkilis is still healthy.
Confused yet?
Corban Joseph was called up for less than a week and sent back down because he wasn’t trusted to play third base even though he was called up for that very reason. New York instead traded for Chris Nelson for cash considerations and a player to be named later. Nelson for now, is the best option at third base, but will be one of many pieces when players start to return healthy.
The real trick may be how the potential playoff roster plays out. Will the return of A-Rod out produce a combination of Youkilis and Mustelier? What becomes of Nelson?
Is Nova a better option than Wang or Pineda?
Is Teixeira going to swing for the fences and go against the current Yankees’ offensive formula, or can he revert back to an all-fields hitter and play elite defense? Will the Yankees get value out of Overbay, Boesch and possibly Nova, who may not be on the roster in a couple of months, let alone the playoff roster?
The Yankees have had a merry-go-round roster from day one when the season began and four hitters were already on the DL. Even if they keep winning, there’s no indication it will slow down anytime soon.
