The Yankees have a couple of late roster wrinkles to sort out before next Tuesday’s Wild Card Series, and the biggest names in the mix are Giancarlo Stanton and Carlos Lagrange.
Stanton, who has been working back from a pair of calf injuries, is suddenly close enough to the conversation that Aaron Boone called him “knocking on the door” for a bench spot. The manager said Wednesday the veteran DH would be viewed in a pinch-hit role if he makes the roster, though Boone added, “We’ll see if that’s even a realistic option. I don’t know yet.”
The latest signs were hard to miss. Between games of Tuesday’s day-night doubleheader, Stanton was spotted in the Yankee Stadium outfield jogging from shallow right field to center and making a turn as if he were rounding a base.
It was a notable step for a player who has not appeared in a game since straining his right calf while jogging from first to second base after a walk in April. He was then close to beginning rehab games in August before straining his left calf during a baserunning workout.
The Yankees never shut the door on a return this season, and they still haven’t. On Tuesday, Stanton worked out at the Somerset Patriots’ ballpark, ran the bases, took six or seven at-bats in live batting practice against Double-A pitching and hit a homer.
Whether that progress translates into a roster spot may come down to how the Yankees build the group. Boone said the club is weighing the possibility of carrying 15 position players and 11 pitchers, a split that would help Stanton’s odds.
“That depends on who’s available, who’s not,” Boone said. “We’re starting to have those conversations now and they will continue to unfold through I’m sure Monday night into Tuesday even.”
Lagrange is another wild-card candidate, though in a very different way. The right-hander has never pitched in the majors, but Boone confirmed he is being considered as a bullpen option for the postseason. Lagrange had been sidelined since late June with a right shoulder capsular sprain, then came off the injured list last week and threw one inning for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
“Correct,” Boone said when asked if Lagrange was in the mix.
The Yankees liked Lagrange in spring training and shifted him to relief late in the season with the idea that he could be a call-up option. His injury interrupted that plan, but his first appearance back turned heads. He worked a scoreless inning, hit 102 mph, struck out two and allowed a hit.
His chance at a postseason roster spot may hinge on Clarke Schmidt, who is dealing with a forearm cramp from last week. Boone said the team will make a final decision Thursday.
If Schmidt is left off, he would likely be placed on the 15-day IL, which could open the door for Lagrange to get into a game or two before the playoffs. If that audition goes well, he could edge Michael Fulmer for the final spot on an 11-man pitching staff.
The Yankees also still have to make decisions on two pitchers on the injured list: left-hander Ryan Weathers, who has a forearm flexor strain, and right-hander Fernando Cruz, who has a partial labrum tear. Weathers is scheduled to face hitters in live batting practice during the Wild Card Series, making him likely unavailable until the next round. Cruz is scheduled for a second bullpen Thursday, but Boone said he is further behind and doubtful for the entire postseason.
As the Yankees sort through the final pieces, Boone said the picture should become clearer over the next several days.
“There’s a lot going on for things from our standpoint,” Boone said. “There’s a lot to shake out and unfold over the next four or five days, Hopefully, we have a lot of options to choose from, but we won’t know that till Saturday and Sunday, and then into Monday.”
For now, Stanton and Lagrange are the two names creating the most intrigue.
“Obviously two different scenarios there in Giancarlo and who he is and who he’s been and his track record, and Lagrange, the unknown who hasn’t been doing this long, especially in a relief role,” Boone said. “Carlos is in the stay-ready (mode), G getting at bats at least are putting them on the outskirts of the conversation if nothing else.”
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