The New York Yankees had a scare when Paul Goldschmidt left a spring training game early on Monday due to injury. However, they received some positive news on his condition. Despite receiving treatment on Tuesday, manager Aaron Boone expects the veteran first baseman to be back in the lineup by Thursday or Friday, as reported by MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch on X.
Goldschmidt quickly reassured fans, stating that his injury was just a sore back and he wouldn’t be sidelined for long. This is a welcome update for the Yankees, who have been plagued by injuries recently.
The Yankees are optimistic that Goldschmidt will be ready for Opening Day. The team will begin the season without DH Giancarlo Stanton (on the IL with elbow issues) and third baseman DJ LeMahieu (dealing with a calf strain).
However, the most significant blow has come to their rotation. Ace Gerrit Cole will miss the season due to Tommy John surgery, and Luis Gil is expected to be out for months with a severe lat strain. Recently, Clark Schmidt also missed a start with a shoulder injury, but it seems he’s avoided anything major and is expected to throw batting practice this week, though he’s unlikely to be ready for Opening Day.
The Yankees’ rotation is in flux, with Carlos Rodon named the Opening Day starter. He, along with newcomer Max Fried, will need to step up to lead the rotation, which will likely include Marcus Stroman, Carlos Carrasco, and rookie Will Warren to start the season.
Despite the urgent need for a starting pitcher, the Yankees have been hesitant to bring in an external replacement. The team believes in Warren, their fifth-ranked prospect, and is hopeful he can contribute early in the season. If he struggles, the Yankees may look to acquire a starter later.
Goldschmidt, entering his 15th season in the majors, has been remarkably durable throughout his career, playing in at least 151 games in every full season since 2014. The 2022 NL MVP with the St. Louis Cardinals, Goldschmidt’s health and performance will be crucial for the Yankees, especially after losing Juan Soto to free agency and dealing with the injury bug.
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