Yankees: NYY Drop Surprising Opening Day Lineup and Full 30-Man Roster

The New York Yankees Opening Day lineup is out, as is the full 30-man roster.

MLB is going to face hurdle after monstrous hurdle trying to balance economic feasibility with morality and complete the 2020 season, and the New York Yankees and Washington Nationals will experience the dregs of that situation first-hand on Thursday.

Hours before first pitch, the Nationals revealed star Juan Soto had tested positive, after an examination on Tuesday. Presumably, that gave him two possible days to infect his teammates and throw this whole thing into chaos.

MLB, thus far, is operating under the assumption that Soto was a lone wolf. They’ve rubber stamped the Yankees to release their lineup for Thursday night’s game, as the skies appear to have cleared temporarily.

There are a few surprises, but most importantly, the team did not deem DJ LeMahieu ready for action, starting Tyler Wade in his place.

Thought of specifically as an extra innings weapon entering 2020, Wade will now get to show the baseball world what his speed can bring to the spotlight.

LeMahieu went hitless in the at-bats he received this past week following his return from battling COVID-19, and we understand that although he probably tried to argue his way into the lineup, Aaron Boone probably made the wiser determination to keep him on the shelf.

Instead, the leadoff hitter will be Aaron Hicks, who’s completing a miraculous return from Tommy John surgery, and fired off an adorable tweet to mark the impressive achievement.

New York Yankees 30-Man Roster 2020

Hours prior to the game, the Yankees officially released their first roster, confirming many of the things we’d sussed out previously.

The team will also have to make room for Masahiro Tanaka (concussion, 7-Day IL), Luis Cessa (COVID-IL), Aroldis Chapman (COVID-IL), and Jordan Montgomery, who’ll be returning from satellite camp next week.

Clint Frazier, Thairo Estrada, and Wade somehow all made the roster, as New York prioritized bats over arms, even with a bullpen game slated for the opening series. Chris Iannetta, a third catcher, seems to be among the most expendable when more open spots are needed.

There’s no telling how long this baseball season will continue or how wise an idea it is, but trust us, we’re here to overanalyze lineup tweaks along with you every step of the way.

You just had to hit Brett Gardner fifth on Opening Day, didn’t you, Boonie?