Yankees: Manager Aaron Boone Speaks With Yanks Go Yard

Yankees manager Aaron Boone talks with Yanks Go Yard about the latest updates in the Bronx.

Who’s replacing Aroldis Chapman?

It was announced Saturday that Aroldis Chapman tested positive for COVID-19.  He is away from the team at this time.  Chapman is the third Yankee out due to COVID-19, along with infielder DJ LeMahieu and Luis Cessa.

Chapman, 32, is coming off arguably his best season as a Yankee.  The lefty reliever posted a 2.21 ERA and recorded 37 saves in 57 innings.  He struck out 85 batters–a 13.4 K/9–and was named to the American League All-Star team.

“With Chappy down, hopefully it’s not a long time,” Boone said.  “Obviously we’ve got Zack Britton.  {Britton’s} been one of the game’s best closers.  But, we feel like we have a bullpen that can absorb what hopefully will be a short term loss.”

Britton, 32, posted a 1.91 ERA in 66 appearances last season as New York’s primary set-up man.  As Boone stated, the two-time All-Star is no stranger to closing.  He had, perhaps, the greatest season by a reliever in MLB history back in 2016.  Britton saved 47 saves and posted an 0.54 ERA in 67 innings of work for the Orioles.  His 0.54 ERA (with a minimum of 60 innings pitched) is the best single-season ERA in MLB history since ERA became an official statistic (1912 in the NL; 1913 in the AL).

Defense: Miguel Andujar, Gio Urshela and Luke Voit

Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman had told Yanks Go Yard earlier “left field seems like a realistic option” for Miguel Andujar.  Remember, Andujar was limited to just 12 games last season due to a right shoulder injury.  He’s lost playing time at third base due to the emergence of Gio Urshela.

“Miggy’s doing really well in the outfield,” said Boone.  “He’s done a really good job in left field.  We feel like he can handle right field as well, as well as doing a better job continually at third base.”

Meanwhile, could the Yankees have Urshela move positions? As previously stated, LeMahieu is recovering from COVID-19 and thus another infield spot has opened up.  Could New York shift Urshela around the infield?

“I think Gio could possibly be an emergency option for us at shortstop,” Boone told Yanks Go Yard.  “If we got into a situation, that would certainly be a possibility, but I wouldn’t necessarily count on that.”

Urshela has played 295 games in the field during his major league career. 273 of those contests have been at third base (92.5%). 13 have been at shortstop (4.4%).

Luke Voit said he dropped 13 pounds during the pandemic. Voit, 29, posted an .842 OPS with 21 homers and 62 RBI in 118 games last season. He missed some time due to core muscle injuries, which required off-season surgery.

“Luke’s doing well,” said Boone. “He looks good.”

Updates on DJ LeMahieu and Masahiro Tanaka

LeMahieu:

“We’re hopeful that DJ will get through this and be back with us playing soon, I hope,” said Boone.

Cashman had told Yanks Go Yard LeMahieu was “asymptomatic” and recovering from COVID-19 at his home in Michigan.

LeMahieu, 31, finished fourth in the American League MVP voting during his first year in pinstripes last season. The 2019 All-Star slashed .327/.375/.518, with 26 home runs and 102 RBI in 145 games. He will be a free agent following the 2020 season.

Tanaka:

“Masa is doing well, but we’re certainly taking it slow with him,” Boone stated. “We don’t want to take any chances, anytime you’re talking about a head injury. But everything so far he’s gone through, he’s passed and done well. He’s playing catch now so we’re excited there.”

Tanaka, 31, is entering his seventh season with the Yankees. The two-time All-Star recorded 11 victories with the Bronx Bombers in 2019 and posted a 4.45 ERA in 182 innings. What the Yankees are really hoping for is continued postseason success from Tanaka.  He has a 1.76 ERA in eight career playoff starts. Like LeMahieu, Tanaka will be a free agent following the 2020 season.