How the Yankees are going about their normal days in the midst of a pandemic

The New York Yankees unanimously voted to stay together in Tampa last week after the MLB announced they would be shutting down operations for the foreseeable future. Eight weeks is the initial timetable for baseball to return, and what a long eight weeks it will be.

How are the New York Yankees spending their time?

Stating away from each other and wearing protectant gloves seems to be a good start, but staying sane is a whole different ball game.

“Everyone’s wearing gloves and we’re giving each other space,” second baseman D.J. LeMahieu stated on Thursday, as per NJ.com. “I think everyone kind of trusts that we’re doing everything we can to stay safe. By the same time, we’re trying to get a little bit of work in at least and stay in shape.”

The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention recommends that any gatherings of 50 people or more should be canceled, and the Yankees are in a hub of activity, given spring training baseball is all around them. However, fans have returned to their homes from near and far, staying safe and away from any potentially compromised individuals.

“I know the rehab guys are thankful they can come in and do their thing,” LeMahieu said. “I think they are leaving it open mostly so those rehab guys can stay healthy. At the same time, because we’re down here they are letting us work out as well.”

Players like Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and James Paxton are recovering from ailments. Judge is dealing with a stress fracture to a rib, Stanton a calf strain, and Paxton a cyst removed from his lower back. All three are making positive progress, according to manager Aaron Boone. The Yankees’ skipper believes all three could be available for Opening Day, whenever it officially comes around.

LeMahieu continued on to say that working out helps him stay “sane”:

“Personally, it keeps me sane,” he said. “It’s nice to be able to come here and at least work out and do some baseball stuff. I would be going crazy if I wasn’t able to do that at least. We’re doing that and they are making it as safe as possible for us in there, so I think it’s good.”

There’s only so much you can do if you’re a player attempting to stay in baseball shape. As for the rest of society, things are even bleaker.