NEW YORK — The Yankees took the field for Opening Day on Thursday with 11 players from their 40-man roster on the injured list.
They’re hopeful that number of IL stints can dwindle down to eight, maybe even seven, within the next few weeks.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone reiterated Thursday, before the season-opener against the Brewers, that right-hander Clarke Schmidt will rejoin the rotation in the middle of April. He didn’t start the year on time due to right rotator cuff tendonitis, shoulder fatigue that opened the door for both prospect Will Warren and veteran Carlos Carrasco to make the Opening Day roster in the rotation.
Relievers Ian Hamilton and Tyler Matzek won’t be gone for too long either, barring a setback.
Hamilton had an infection early in Yankees camp, keeping him from ramping up on schedule. Boone said the right-hander will be back in “early” April. He might only need the minimum number of IL days to get more live sessions under his belt.
BUY YANKEES TICKETS: STUBHUB, VIVID SEATS, TICKETMASTER
Matzek, a non-roster invitee at camp this spring, strained his oblique while making an impressive case to be in the Opening Day bullpen during spring training. He’s “not far behind” Hamilton, Boone said.
And then there’s Jonathan Loáisiga, who re-signed with the Yankees this past offseason. He’s putting the finishing touches on his rehab journey back from last spring’s elbow surgery. Loáisiga was shooting for only one or two more months on the IL when the season started and on Thursday, Boone said he should be back with the team in May.
As for Giancarlo Stanton, who was out all spring with right and left elbow epicondylitis — tennis elbow — the latest update is good news.
Boone confirmed a report from SNY that Stanton has been responding well to his third round of PRP injections in his elbows. The Yankees still don’t have a timetable for how long he’ll be out, though.
“He’s doing pretty well,” Boone said. “I think we’ve all been encouraged by the last couple of weeks. Still no timetable on anything, but he’s been able to swing the bat and feel like there’s been some steady improvement day after day. Encouraged about at least the last couple weeks, but we’ve still got a ways to go.”
Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription.
Max Goodman may be reached at mgoodman@njadvancemedia.com.
