New York Yankees: Front office has no idea how injured players are rehabbing

New York Yankees, Aaron Boone, jameson taillon
Apr 7, 2021; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone, left, takes the ball from starting pitcher Jameson Taillon (50) during the top of the fifth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Yankees have some players rehabbing from various health and injury issues, But because of the MLB imposed a lockout, the Yankees have no idea how they are advancing going into the 2022 season. Some of those affected are Aaron Hicks, DJ LeMahieu, and starting pitcher Jameson Taillon.

Unfortunately for the Yankees, not knowing how these players are doing further complicates plans for what the Yankees will do going forward after a new Collective Bargaining agreement is reached. At this point, all fans that follow the Yankees know that they need a full-time shortstop, a number two-type starting pitcher, a permanent first baseman, and help in center field. In addition to the injured players, they don’t know if the oft-injured Luke Voit is doing with his knees and feet.

When the December 1 expiration could not reach a new CBA, Commissioner Rob Manfred instituted lock-down forbidding front offices from contacting any players on their 40 man roster until a new agreement can be reached. Manager Aaron Boone addressed the situation last week.

“We tried to put our guys in the best position as far as our coaches at the time having those conversations and putting plans in place as we headed into December 1,” Boone said. “Hopefully, set them up with programs and things that they can follow and be in a good position once this is all settled, but we’ve had no contact. Obviously, it’s not ideal that we can’t have that contact and know how everyone’s doing, but we should get a decent idea in those early days of what we’re dealing with.”

Jameson Taillon: Probably for the Yankees that need an excellent pitcher to follow ace Gerrit Cole, they are most interested in how Jameson Taillon is doing with his rehab. Taillon turned 30 years old on November 18; he was a first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2010. He was traded to the Yankees before the start of the 2021 season. Taillon got off to a slow start with the Yankees but gradually improved. He ended the season with an 8–6 record in 29 starts with a 4.30 ERA and 140 strikeouts in 144.3 innings. 

Unfortunately, he also ended the season suffering from a few torn ligaments in his ankle. If a pitcher can’t depend on his lower extremities, he can’t pitch. His best friend Gerrit Cole (they played together with the Pirates) and Yankee manager Aaron Boone would like to know how he is doing, but they will have to wait.

Aaron Hicks: The oft-injured Aaron Hicks has been injured several times during his time with the Yankees, and last season was no different; he missed 130 games, hitting only four home runs and batting a miserable .194. Hicks is rehabbing from a May 26 operation to repair a torn tendon sheath in his left wrist. Although being unable to speak with Hicks, there is an upside that we do know. In twelve games in the Dominican Winter Leagues, he hit .265 (13-for-49) with one home run. Boone would like to know hows he is doing after that stint.

DJ LeMahieu: DJ, after a spectacular season in 2020 winning the MLB batting title with a .367 batting average, had an underwhelming season last year, more than a hundred points lower and with only ten home runs. After the 2021 season, LeMahieu had sports hernia surgery on October 12. Boone would surely like to know how his recovery is coming along.

Along with these players, Boone most like would be interested in how Luke Voit is doing. Voit, the only first baseman the Yankees have right now, had feet and knee problems last season. The Yankees would like to know how he is doing. But, for the time being, the front office will have to monitor social media for any information, much like Yankees fans have to do.