Yankees 2019 season may be off to a bumpy start

Although the Yankees are currently excelling in the Spring Training standings, and have an upgraded roster, it may not be an easy-going beginning to the 2019 season.

There are still too many question marks heading into the upcoming season, and the injuries are already piling up for the Yankees — as Aaron Hicks, Luis Severino and Dellin Betances will all start the season on the IL.

Hicks is currently battling a back injury and will miss at least the first series against the Orioles.

Severino has been shut down for two weeks with an inflamed right rotator cuff and won’t return until May at the earliest. The good news is he’s begun throwing and isn’t experiencing any issues, but the Yanks should remain cautious.

Betances is also out with an impingement of his right shoulder. The oft-injured Greg Bird underwent x-rays on his elbow after he was hit by a pitch on Wednesday — and thankfully, they came back negative.

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However, this could be the dam opening for Bird, so hopefully, the soreness in his elbow doesn’t linger and lead to something worse.

In addition to the injuries, there are a lot of new pieces to this team. In the infield, Troy Tulowitzki will likely start at shortstop for the first half of the season. Luke Voit will likely receive the brunt of playing time at first base, where he only spent 32 games last season. There is undoubtedly some uncertainty regarding the chemistry within the infield.

Additionally, the pitching staff is also another place where cohesiveness could be an issue. James Paxton and Gio Gonzalez are going to be throwing to Gary Sanchez. Sanchez, who has often been scrutinized for his fielding, is already having a shaky Spring Training.

Through 62 innings of work, he has made two errors. With some new pitchers in the Bronx, it could be growing pains for the early going of the 2019 season.

The Yankees, when healthy, could very well run the table this season. This entire roster has dependability and can bring something to the table each game. It is a long season, and total success will come down to the constitution of these players.

With uncertainties apparent, just a week away from the start of a 162 game season, it could be bumpy out of the gate.

However, the Yankees have series’ against Baltimore twice in nine games before heavy hitters in Houston, Boston and the Los Angeles Angels in April.

Falling behind early in the American League isn’t necessarily a terrible thing considering the length of the season, but it isn’t good either.

Next week is the start of true Yankee baseball. It is the opening of a season filled with aspirations and hopes of another World Series ring. But, before it even begins, the Yankees have hit a snag. A snag filled with injuries and chemistry concerns that could delay real progress going further.