Yankees: 3 NYY players most impacted by Luke Voit surgery news

2. Mike Tauchman

Congratulations to Mike Tauchman, someone who went from watching his trade value be heavily scrutinized this week to back on the Yankees’ bench alongside Bruce on Saturday.

Bruce, not Tauchman, appeared to be the odd man out at the end of spring training, but there was no business as usual this time, and both men will now be on the big league squad.

The Voit injury could very well push Tauchman into the position he’s been begging to try for versatility purposes regardless, though.

Remember earlier this spring when Tauchman’s strongest case to avoid roster redundancy was his stated desire to try backing up first base? He’s always been a plus outfield defender, and he played first in college. It seemed like an interesting way to shove him onto the roster.

Though we haven’t seen even a second of such things all spring long, the backup first baseman is currently…DJ LeMahieu, after the Yankees opted to jettison Derek Dietrich prior to his roster decision deadline on Saturday. Does the team really want Bruce playing 45 out of 47 games or so just days after they were ready to cut him loose? How often do they want to shift LeMahieu to first and open up second base for…Tyler Wade?

Tauchman will likely get more run in the early going if he can back up Bruce. Congratulations on the roster spot. Now oil up that first baseman’s glove.