The Yankees are gearing up to face off against the New York Mets on Tuesday night, but prior to the contest, they announced a completely new lineup. Trying to give several players rest, the Bombers made significant changes, including slotting Jahmai Jones in as the leadoff hitter.
Yankees Shake Up Lineup for Subway Series
The 26-year-old is hitting .256/.326/.410 this season, including a 31.8% strikeout rate, 4.5% walk rate, and 112 wRC+. He hit one homer with four RBIs over 44 plate appearances. The decision to move Jahmai to leadoff is puzzling, given his high strikeout rate and limited game participation this season. The Yankees could have opted for Anthony Volpe, who has been performing well since the end of the All-Star break.
Lineup Adjustments
In addition, manager Aaron Boone pulled Austin Wells from the contest in exchange for Carlos Narvaez. Narvaez, 25, was elevated from Triple-A when Jose Trevino suffered an injury that knocked him out for a few weeks. Narvaez has played 71 games with Triple-A Scranton this year, hitting .269/.386/.443. Known as an elite defensive catcher, he should offer some value there, but his lack of MLB experience will certainly pose some growing pains. Narvaez will bat eighth in the lineup.
Clean-Up Spot Changes
With Wells’s spot vacated, J.D. Davis will take over in the cleanup role. Davis, who the Yankees acquired several weeks ago from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for prospect Jordan Groshans, is hitting .221/.293/.346 this season with four homers and six RBIs.
Coming off five consecutive seasons with above-average metrics, Davis is having a challenging year and had been a defensive liability at third base with Oakland. However, he’s played 170 innings at first this season, posting -2 defensive runs saved and -4 outs above average. He will fill that spot on Tuesday against the Mets.
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Navigating Team Fatigue
The lineup to open the Subway Series is certainly not an ideal one, but the Yankees are attempting to navigate some fatigue issues and are waiting for reinforcements at the trade deadline, which is just a week away.