Yankees unveil 25-man roster for ALCS versus Astros

If the Yankees are looking to exercise their 2017 ALCS demons versus the Astros, they’ll do it without Luke Voit and Tyler Wade — as C.C. Sabathia and Aaron Hicks have been added to the 25-man roster instead.

The Yankees have decided to add one extra pitcher for the ALCS that kicks off on Saturday night from Houston. Now featuring a total of 13 shooters, 19-year veteran and spiritual leader, C.C. Sabathia will get his chance to help the Yanks reach the World Series.

Despite missing the previous round of the playoffs with a left shoulder impingement, Sabathia received a cortisone shot and was recently given the all-clear. Due to the upcoming extended series, he will likely be used in long-relief or lefty matchups out of the bullpen.

According to Marly Rivera of ESPN, manager Aaron Boone was encouraged by Sabathia in workouts leading up to the unveiling of the 25-man roster.

"“Just talking to him when he came in, said he felt good,” Boone said. “Frankly, looked really good. I was really excited about how he looked. He was sharp. He was able to really finish his pitches. He’s very much in the conversation now.”More from Yankees NewsDiamondbacks outfielder’s comment on Carlos Rodón’s IG raises eyebrowsAaron Judge Time interview scared Yankees as much as it scared youWhy weren’t Yankees in on Kodai Senga now that we know the price?Baseball Reference proves Yankees’ Aaron Judge lives rent free in BostonYankees’ Clay Holmes trade just became even bigger disaster for Pirates"

I’ve always been a big C.C. fan, but I genuinely hope his shoulder and knees allow him to be an actual asset to the Yankee bullpen as they face a relentless Astros lineup.

Yes, Sabathia has been a warrior and probably a Hall of Famer in five years after he retires following the postseason, but his inclusion shouldn’t hinge on any of that.

Instead, if Boone feels Sabathia’s ability and postseason experience (129.1 innings pitched in nine years, 15 series) enhances the Yanks’ chances of advancing to the World Series, then great. If not, we’ll soon find out.

As for Hicks, most everyone expected him to miss the remainder of 2019. Out of action since August 3 with a tendon injury in his throwing elbow, Hicks is a real wild card headed into the ALCS.

When healthy, he’s one of the games elite outfielders. An offensive threat from both sides of the plate, Hicks could slide back into centerfield with Brett Garnder moving over the left and Giancarlo Stanton becoming the DH.

Therefore, Edwin Encarnacion would man first base, pushing DJ LeMahieu to third base and relegating Gio Urshela to the bench. Urshela has struggled since returning in mid-September due to a groin strain and was just 3-for-12 with a double and two strikeouts in the ALDS.

While taking Urshela’s glove out of the lineup is a negative, it’s addition by subtraction with Hicks in center. Of course, there’s also the belief that if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it. Since Hicks’ full ability is still a mystery, Boone could choose to stay with the same lineup that scored 23 runs in a three-game sweep of the Twins.

It would make sense since the players being removed from the 25-man roster, Luke Voit and Tyler Wade, weren’t used at all.

With Cameron Maybin acting as the Yanks’ extra outfielder and pinch-runner, Wade was considered expendable since LeMahieu is an infield jack-of-all-trades. Unfortunately, for Voit, he was never the same slugger upon returning from his diagnosis of a sports hernia.

Voit’s 21 homers, 62 RBIs and .842 OPS in 118 games this season weren’t enough to keep him on the bench as a late-inning pinch hitter — at least for the ALCS. He hit just .200 with two homers and eight RBIs in 80 RBIs after returning on Aug 30.