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.

Jimmy Cordero, RHP

Shoutout to surprise offseason addition Ian Hamilton, too, who's been ruthlessly efficient in dismissing batters at the pitch clock's behest, but Jimmy Cordero likely has an advantage over him in leaping onto the Opening Day roster.

The Yankees have been patient with Cordero, allowing him to rehab from Tommy John surgery on their dime and extending him a 40-man spot this winter after plenty of waiting around. That might be the difference this offseason, as the 31-year-old Cordero won't require a secondary maneuver to be added to the bullpen.

Greg Weissert is also likely to be considered for the final bullpen spot, but his spring hasn't gone quite as well as Cordero's. He's allowed (gasp) an earned run across three outings!

Yeah, we're splitting hairs here, but that's how dominant Cordero's been. Known mainly for the potentially apocryphal story about how he once hit 104 MPH as a Phillies minor-leaguer, the right-hander with the power sinker (that's Matt Blake's music!) has allowed a single hit in three shutout innings this spring while touching the upper 90s. His highest pitch count in an inning? 12. Overall, he's sitting at 30 pitches through three frames.

No decision will be made solely based on Spring Training dominance, something Aaron Boone has made perfectly clear while discussing the left field and shortstop races. The team's patience with Cordero hints he's had their eye for quite a while, though, and a strong spring is only reinforcing the Yankees' old notions.