The New York Yankees have little room for additional injuries with the postseason just around the bend, and when starting pitcher and rotation-man in October, James Paxton, went down in the first inning on Friday night, everyone held their breath.
After just one inning, Paxton left the game with a tight glute — a not-so significant-sounding injury but one nonetheless. Manager Aaron Boone downplayed the ailment picked up by Paxton, stating that the move was precautionary given how close the Yankees are to the playoffs.
Moose threw just 21 pitches before being plucked, and there’s no room for error with the postseason. Paxton will be a pivotal option moving forward and will undoubtedly be a part of the three-person rotation, especially with Luis Severino still working through his initial exposure to the league this season.
Game 1 of the postseason will likely go to Paxton if he can remain healthy, but Severino is capable of being the team’s ace regardless.
“I don’t think it is going to be anything serious,’’ Paxton insisted.
With the loss of Domingo German for the postseason, the Yankees need to rest their starters and not overwork them. Fatigue plays a factor in the efficiency of players, especially pitchers. The Yanks will have home-field advantage for the ALDS, giving them a leg up on their opponent, who is the Minnesota Twins, a powerhouse in the scoring production.
However, the Bombers still don’t have a definitive game-plan, which is why general manager Brian Cashman is tagging along with the team to help Boone situate his active roster.
Additional New York Yankees injury news:
First-baseman Edwin Encarnacion will likely miss the rest of the regular season but return for the postseason.
“Just something he and I talked about. He hit on the field and looked good, but I think mentally he is not over the hump yet,’’ Aaron Boone said of Encarnacion.
The Yanks need their primary designated hitter to be active for the playoffs as Giancarlo Stanton will be starting in the outfield due to the number of injuries that have piled up.