Yankees News: Cubs release former pitcher, Cody Bellinger plan, Ali Sanchez moment

Back in 2021 when the Yankees needed all 162 games to fight their way into the playoffs, they faced the Rays on the final day of the regular season. Though that year didn't end the way fans would've ever preferred, they at least fought down to the wire.

Jameson Taillon, who was acquired from the Pirates that offseason, delivered a gutsy outing on an injured ankle. It wasn't anything dazzling, but he managed to hurl 3 1/3 scoreless innings on 45 pitches to keep Tampa in check. The Yankees would win 1-0 and then get stomped at Fenway in the one game Wild Card playoff.

Taillon would remain in New York for one more year (another dreaded playoff exit in 2022) before moving on in free agency. He signed a four-year, $68 million contract with the Cubs, something the Yankees never would have done.

Before the deal expired, Taillon was designated for assignment on Monday after a terrible 2026 campaign. In his final 15 starts with Chicago, Taillon registered a 5.92 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 6.74 FIP. He allowed a league-high 25 home runs in just 76 innings. That almost feels impossible.

Truth be told, the Yankees were validated in not bringing him back despite his solid couple years in the Bronx. Taillon finished his Cubs career with a 4.21 ERA, 1.19 WHOP and 4.71 FIP in his 96 outings. Not quite worth $17 million per year. Nonetheless, here's to Jamo's next chapter.

What's the Yankees' outfield plan without Cody Bellinger?

As for strict Yankees business, the Bombers' electrifying 9-5 win over the Chicago White Sox on Monday night was one of the most entertaining games of the season. And it was their first without star left fielder Cody Bellinger, who will miss 4-6 weeks with a Grade 2 hamstring strain.

During the YES pregame show, Jack Curry broke it down for fans and told them what to expect moving forward. Against left-handed starters, Max Schuemann will likely be in left field (which was the case last night with Noah Schultz on the mound). Against righties, expect to see a lot of Spencer Jones, who ended up starting as well on Monday over Trent Grisham (also a lefty hitter) likely due to his recent struggles.

Jones' RBI groundout in the fourth inning proved to be crucial, and he definitely deserves more run after he displayed some comfortability in his second stint with the team.

All in all, Jasson Dominguez should remain an everyday starter because of his switch hitting abilities. Grisham will continue to get the lion's share of the reps in center. And then there will be a mix of Schuemann/Jones out there with Caballero (and potentially Amed Rosario) added in as needed.

Ali Sanchez's first career MLB home run broke game open for Yankees

And how about a feel-good moment? The Yankees were able to exhale late in the game against the White Sox after Ali Sanchez broke it open with a three-run homer in the top of the eighth to extend the lead to 9-4. It was his first career home run and he had a lovely interview with Meredith Marakovits afterward.

In his 75th career game, Sanchez finally put one over the fence, adding an exclamation point to his 25-game Yankees tenure. He hasn't been a star by any means, but he's given the Yankees exactly what they've needed from a righty catcher: solid defense and an ability to make contact against lefty hitters.

Who needs Hunter Goodman when you have this guy?

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