The New York Yankees have gotten off to a disappointing start to the season, but general manager Brian Cashman said they are still a “championship-caliber team.”
After winning the American League East last year and making it to the ALCS in the postseason, the injury-riddled Yankees are in last place in the AL East with a 17-15 record. Cashman acknowledged that injuries are “certainly killing us,” but instructed concerned fans not to give up on the team just yet.
“Injuries happen and ultimately we’re getting a lot of injuries right now,” Cashman said during a press conference on Wednesday. “Don’t count us out. Don’t give up on us. We got a good group of people, player-wise, staff-wise, support staff-wise. It’s a championship-caliber operation.”
Captain Aaron Judge joined more than a dozen Yankees on the injured list after he suffered a right hip strain sliding headfirst into third base last week. Designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (strained left hamstring), third baseman Josh Donaldson (strained right hamstring), and starting pitchers Carlos Rodón (strained left forearm and sore back), Luis Severino (strained right lat) and Frankie Montas (right shoulder surgery) are also on the injured list.
Aaron Judge: Yankees put Aaron Judge on injured list with hip strain
Cashman acknowledged that “recent moves have not worked out” and that “last year’s trade deadline” could have gone better. He took the blame for the Yankees’ current predicament: “I have nothing I can convict others ― other than if you want to convict somebody, convict me. This is my responsibility.”
Cashman said the front office has explored making a move on the trade market amid numerous injuries, but said the team’s main concern is getting their star players healthy: “The silver lining is at some point, we’ll be getting each of these individuals mostly back … The difficulty is waiting for them at the same time.”
Center fielder Harrison Bader was activated off the injured list Tuesday after he opened the season with a strained oblique. Judge is eligible to return to the lineup from the 10-day injured list on Monday. Rodón will see a back specialist on Thursday following prolonged stiffness. Stanton is out six weeks with his hamstring injury and expected to return late May.
“When we’re at full health or close to it — because you’re never going to be at full health — I believe we have a championship-caliber team,” Cashman said. “We’ve got to be thankful that it’s a long season because we’re banged up so bad right now — if it was a short season, we’d be taken out.”
Best MLB betting offers: Bet $10 and get $100+ in bonus wagers with our link at BetMGM
