3 Yankees who could sneak onto Opening Day roster after recent injuries

The Yankees haven't encountered an entirely unexpected injury issue during Spring Training just yet, but the natural attrition that strikes every team has begun to slice pieces off their projected roster.

So far, the Yankees' main concern lies in the bullpen, where offseason acquisition Tommy Kahnle will miss around a month with biceps tendinitis (we hope), and is currently in the midst of a 10-day no-throw. Additionally, prize 2022 rookie Ron Marinaccio has thrown bullpen sessions and purports to be fully recovered from the shin issue that knocked him off the map last year, but has yet to get into any game action.

Combine that with Jonathan Loaisiga's trip to the World Baseball Classic, and there are some additional bullpen reps to go around these days.

Gone are the days of the Yankees relying too heavily on Aroldis Chapman, Zack Britton and Chad Green, however. There are plenty of live arms in camp, many of whom would've been banished unfairly to Triple-A if not for this mid-camp injury trouble. Kahnle and anyone who follows him to the IL will certainly be missed, but there are a few Yankee longshots who could sneak right in and dominate if given the chance.

These Yankees players could sneak onto the 2023 Opening Day roster

Matt Krook, LHP

The days of all but mandating two left-handers in every bullpen are long gone, thanks to the three-batter minimum installed a few years back. Now, having a lefty to match up with left-handed sluggers isn't very appealing, unless that lefty can also handle batters from the other side of the plate. Bringing someone in to retire Bryce Harper, only to watch them get torched by Rhys Hoskins, definitely sucks.

If the Yankees don't have a lefty to rock alongside Wandy Peralta, it won't be the end of the world. That said, minor-league starter Matt Krook has certainly been bringing the fire thus far, and could fit right in in the bullpen pecking order if the opportunity arises.

The 28-year-old ex-Rays hurler has been given an earnest shot to impress this preseason, and has delivered, buzzsawing the competition in five innings across two outings. Krook has yet to allow an earned run, surrendering just a pair of hits and a walk while striking out seven.

Odds are he was already in competition with returning stalwart Albert Abreu for the final bullpen spot, but after Kahnle's injury, an additional lane probably opened up for him.

Clarke Schmidt, RHP

Pending unforeseen complications, Domingo Germán all but sewed up the fifth starter spot earlier this week, after the lanky right-hander battled poor spring umpiring to shut down the Pirates' bats again on Monday night.

It's the right move. He's the "proven" option. It's just a fifth starter role meant to soak up innings and create relatively little drama. Germán has looked sharp so far in camp, which shouldn't be the deciding factor ... but it helps.

So, what of Clarke Schmidt and his new cutter, meant to neutralize lefties and increase his shot at getting a rotation spot this season? Prior to Kahnle's injury, the Yankees probably intended to send him to Triple-A to keep him stretched out for the next starting pitching injury. Now, does he travel north for Opening Day as a short-relief weapon, just like last year? Does Krook get the "next in line" status at Triple-A, considering we've seen Schmidt perform well in late-inning scenarios, and haven't watched the left-hander do it yet?

Schmidt's future is likely in the rotation -- or, at least, it should be. But losing Kahnle could earn him more big-league appearances, even if they're not the kind he enjoys most.