3 roster changes Yankees could make ahead of ALCS vs Houston

2. Ron Marinaccio (for Miguel Castro? Or Both?)

Ron Marinaccio’s exclusion from the ALDS roster was one of many bullpen body blows the Yankees endured just before the postseason, leading to Wandy Peralta becoming the first pitcher ever to face three or more batters in every single game of a division series.

Marinaccio’s recurring shin issue, it turned out, was more like a stress reaction. After two weeks off, though, he appears to be ready for action, telling Pete Caldera he’s “good to go” if called upon on Tuesday.

In that case, he certainly should be included, and has a much better argument to be added to the group than deadline addition Frankie Montas, who’s also been angling for a shot at contributing.

During the regular season, Marinaccio battled some end-of-season control issues to strike out 56 men in 44 innings, sporting a 2.05 ERA and 1.045 WHIP. For a good part of the season, he was the team’s best reliever. The only question is whether he replaces Miguel Castro, who wasn’t used at all in the five-game ALDS, or whether he replaces Hicks and the team carries an additional pitcher in Castro/Greg Weissert/Montas.

Right at the end of the regular season, New York’s already-beleaguered bullpen lost Marinaccio, Scott Effross (torn UCL), and Aroldis Chapman (wild man). Getting one of the three back — and the right one, at that — would be a major gift after the Yankees somehow survived the Guardians’ on rush with limited options.