The New York Yankees need all of the help they can get after a 2019 season plagued with injuries. The latest two being starting catcher Gary Sanchez and first baseman/designated hitter, Edwin Encarnacion. The latter of the two has been fighting to return to the team before the start of the postseason, but that reality is seeming bleaker.
The potency of the Yankees batting order relies on their sluggers and ability to hit home runs to increase scoring production.
The Yankees heavily relied on home runs to help fuel their offense, and Encarnacion plays a big part in that, having already hit 34 homers this year. It is expected that Encarnacion will be ready for Friday’s game one against the Minnesota Twins, but manager Aaron Boone has stated that he is not mentally prepared and needs more time to recover.
Encarnación hasn’t played since September 12 in Detroit after suffering an injury on a home run at that. The hope was to get the first baseman back against the Texas Rangers before the start of the postseason, but that reality is quickly looking like a false promise.
“If I’m not 100 percent, I’m close,†Encarnacion said after Saturday’s 9-4 loss to Texas at Globe Life Park. “Like I said, I’ll keep on working to get there.â€
“The way I look at it, with Edwin back and healthy and strong, I very much envision him in the middle of our lineup, probably as the DH†through the playoffs, Boone said. “He can play first too but I do envision Edwin in there.â€
The new hope is that Encarnacion will participate in a rehab assignment to prepare him for the playoffs. With the return of Giancarlo Stanton and his usage in the outfield, Edwin will likely slide in as a designated hitter. Keeping him healthy throughout the playoffs will be difficult considering his injury woes this season, but any setback could impair the success of the team.
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One silver lining is the return of Gary Sanchez, who the Yankees desperately need for their postseason run. The starting catcher’s arrival on Friday was a massive boost to the team and will be significant on defense and offense. The Yankees must take precaution with his injuries, especially given his susceptibility to picking up groin ailments.