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This week, each night in Kansas City ended in a Yankee celebration – with the most encouraging performance saved for last.
“He’s one of the greatest to ever do it,’’ said Yanks captain Aaron Judge, talking about Gerrit Cole’s sharp 6.2 shutout innings in a 7-0 win to finish a three-game sweep of the Royals.
In his second start back since rehab from Tommy John surgery, Cole looked “like he hadn’t even skipped a beat,’’ Judge said of Cole’s command and zero ERA. “Just impressive to see.’’
That answered one curiosity – how Cole would look coming out of the gate, 14 months after surgery.
Just across the one-third mark of the Yankees’ season, here are a few more things we’re intrigued by.
Agreeing with the premise that he’s operating with two starting shortstop, manager Aaron Boone said he’d “try to make the best decisions’ about playing time.
During the Royals series, Volpe started all three games at shortstop, while Caballero started twice – at third base and left field.
Caballero’s defense and hitting improved during his month-and-a-half residency at shortstop, but clearly he’s being asked to move around the diamond and occasionally be a reserve option.
That was the original design for Caballero, and Volpe can keep that plan intact with continued solid performance.
Volpe produced the go-ahead, ninth inning base hit in Monday’s victory, had three hits – including a homer and a double – in Tuesday’s win and handled his position well during the Yanks’ sweep.
“I like his timing, I like his swing decisions,’’ said Boone, seeing Volpe laying off certain pitches – in pitcher’s counts – to get to one he can hit.
Caballero’s versatility “allows him to get on the field in other ways, but he’s still going to play some shortstop, too,’’ said Boone, calling it “one of those things that’ll sort itself out.’’
A month after suffering a strained right calf, Giancarlo Stanton was cleared to begin an outdoor running program this week.
By next week, he could be taking live batting practice along with Jasson Dominguez, who suffered a sprained AC joint (left shoulder) on May 7.
Once he’s ready to return, Dominguez could be optioned back to Triple-A to build back through regular playing time.
Stanton has been regularly hitting off the Trajekt machine, intent on having his timing and rhythm as uninterrupted as possible at the plate, despite the layoff.
“Having him in that middle (of the order), his presence is massive,’’ said Boone, especially when constructing lineups versus right-handed starters, with a better ability to order his lefty hitters.
Once he returns, Stanton figures to take playing time away from Paul Goldschmidt, returning Ben Rice as the regular first baseman.
Over the last seven games, entering Friday’s series at Sacramento, Boone has started Goldschmidt at first base and Rice at DH – coinciding with Spencer Jones being optioned back to Triple-A.
Could we see more of Ben Rice out of the leadoff spot?
Boone’s decisions are influenced by that day’s starter; Paul Goldschmidt has led off 11 times this year, but Trent Grisham’s ability to draw walks has made him the top choice (37).
Rice and Amed Rosario have batted leadoff four times, but Rice has done it three times since May 16, and his .383 on-base percentage (minimum 100 PA) leads the team.
But while the leadoff spot could still be a fluctuating thing, the one constant is the hitter behind Judge.
With one exception all season, either Rice or Cody Bellinger has batted directly behind Judge, and that is unlikely to change.
Rice leads the team with a 1.006 OPS and Bellinger since May 1 has posted a 1.023 OPS in 25 games.
That intriguing cameo by Yovanny Cruz last week has Yankees Universe wondering when he might return.
At various times, Paul Blackburn and Ryan Yarbrough have provided valuable length, but it’s probably not long-term sustainable to keep both.
The in-and-out command of Camilo Doval and Jake Bird and the recent wild rides experienced by closer David Bednar are things to watch.
And if Max Fried (elbow bone bruise) arrives back in the rotation in a month, and there are five healthy Yankees starters at the time, we’ll wonder again what that means for Ryan Weathers or Will Warren.
But the club’s depth is such that Elmer Rodriguez or Carlos Lagrange could impact the rotation or bullpen at any point.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Yankees news to watch as team hopes to avoid June 2026 swoon
Continue reading...
“He’s one of the greatest to ever do it,’’ said Yanks captain Aaron Judge, talking about Gerrit Cole’s sharp 6.2 shutout innings in a 7-0 win to finish a three-game sweep of the Royals.
In his second start back since rehab from Tommy John surgery, Cole looked “like he hadn’t even skipped a beat,’’ Judge said of Cole’s command and zero ERA. “Just impressive to see.’’
That answered one curiosity – how Cole would look coming out of the gate, 14 months after surgery.
Just across the one-third mark of the Yankees’ season, here are a few more things we’re intrigued by.
Anthony Volpe-Jose Caballero dynamic
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Agreeing with the premise that he’s operating with two starting shortstop, manager Aaron Boone said he’d “try to make the best decisions’ about playing time.
During the Royals series, Volpe started all three games at shortstop, while Caballero started twice – at third base and left field.
Caballero’s defense and hitting improved during his month-and-a-half residency at shortstop, but clearly he’s being asked to move around the diamond and occasionally be a reserve option.
That was the original design for Caballero, and Volpe can keep that plan intact with continued solid performance.
Volpe produced the go-ahead, ninth inning base hit in Monday’s victory, had three hits – including a homer and a double – in Tuesday’s win and handled his position well during the Yanks’ sweep.
“I like his timing, I like his swing decisions,’’ said Boone, seeing Volpe laying off certain pitches – in pitcher’s counts – to get to one he can hit.
Caballero’s versatility “allows him to get on the field in other ways, but he’s still going to play some shortstop, too,’’ said Boone, calling it “one of those things that’ll sort itself out.’’
Giancarlo Stanton's road back
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A month after suffering a strained right calf, Giancarlo Stanton was cleared to begin an outdoor running program this week.
By next week, he could be taking live batting practice along with Jasson Dominguez, who suffered a sprained AC joint (left shoulder) on May 7.
Once he’s ready to return, Dominguez could be optioned back to Triple-A to build back through regular playing time.
Stanton has been regularly hitting off the Trajekt machine, intent on having his timing and rhythm as uninterrupted as possible at the plate, despite the layoff.
“Having him in that middle (of the order), his presence is massive,’’ said Boone, especially when constructing lineups versus right-handed starters, with a better ability to order his lefty hitters.
Once he returns, Stanton figures to take playing time away from Paul Goldschmidt, returning Ben Rice as the regular first baseman.
Over the last seven games, entering Friday’s series at Sacramento, Boone has started Goldschmidt at first base and Rice at DH – coinciding with Spencer Jones being optioned back to Triple-A.
Yankees' leadoff spot
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Could we see more of Ben Rice out of the leadoff spot?
Boone’s decisions are influenced by that day’s starter; Paul Goldschmidt has led off 11 times this year, but Trent Grisham’s ability to draw walks has made him the top choice (37).
Rice and Amed Rosario have batted leadoff four times, but Rice has done it three times since May 16, and his .383 on-base percentage (minimum 100 PA) leads the team.
But while the leadoff spot could still be a fluctuating thing, the one constant is the hitter behind Judge.
With one exception all season, either Rice or Cody Bellinger has batted directly behind Judge, and that is unlikely to change.
Rice leads the team with a 1.006 OPS and Bellinger since May 1 has posted a 1.023 OPS in 25 games.
Yankees' bullpen concerns
That intriguing cameo by Yovanny Cruz last week has Yankees Universe wondering when he might return.
At various times, Paul Blackburn and Ryan Yarbrough have provided valuable length, but it’s probably not long-term sustainable to keep both.
The in-and-out command of Camilo Doval and Jake Bird and the recent wild rides experienced by closer David Bednar are things to watch.
And if Max Fried (elbow bone bruise) arrives back in the rotation in a month, and there are five healthy Yankees starters at the time, we’ll wonder again what that means for Ryan Weathers or Will Warren.
But the club’s depth is such that Elmer Rodriguez or Carlos Lagrange could impact the rotation or bullpen at any point.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Yankees news to watch as team hopes to avoid June 2026 swoon
Continue reading...
