Predicting 2 Yankees who'll be left off ALDS roster vs. Blue Jays in final shuffle

A first-round matchup with the Boston Red Sox presented a unique challenge for the New York Yankees: How do you defeat your fiercest rivals in a terrifying best-of-three series for the first time in 22 years? And how do you do it without a bullpen?

Now, with that foe stunningly vanquished, the Yankees have some changes to make before attempting to slay a second dragon in the Toronto Blue Jays. Unfortunately, the roster alterations probably won't help the bullpen all that much.

Despite sitting out the first round of the postseason after pitching Sunday, Luis Gil seems likely to be elevated for the ALDS. He is the current favorite to make a Game 1 start over Will Warren, but the team is still reportedly in the midst of ongoing discussions regarding both pitchers' roles. Whether Gil is chosen or not, he would be effective in short relief and would be a helpful roster option.

More than likely, that means long man Paul Blackburn will be off the roster after serving as a somewhat dubious choice for inclusion last round anyhow. He was poised to see the mound only in the event of an extreme blowout. Why that was a necessary selection when Gil could've been carried/used for an inning of emergency Game 3 relief, we'll never know. But it's over now. The Yankees could also entertain dropping the struggling Mark Leiter Jr., but probably can't bear to sacrifice a potential short relief option, with so few of them providing much comfort at the moment.

The second wrench thrown into their plans was a bit more unexpected, but might facilitate a change that was probably necessary anyhow. Cody Bellinger was spotted noticeably limping late in Game 3 against the Red Sox. According to Bellinger in the aftermath, it's a foot injury and not a hamstring problem, and he believes he'll be good to go Saturday.

Yankees might need some Cody Bellinger insurance on ALDS roster vs. Toronto Blue Jays

Even if he deems himself fine enough, the Yankees would still be better served carrying a platoon and capable outfield option like Austin Slater instead of a third catcher (JC Escarra). Escarra would've been a perfect caddy in a situation where Ben Rice and Austin Wells had to swap roles around dramatically against the Red Sox bullpen, but the Yankees' bigger need is in the outfield right now.

As long as Slater, left with only 25 at-bats in a Yankees uniform, isn't penciled into the starting lineup this series — the Jays' rotation is righty-heavy anyway — he could be a valuable piece.