Building Up In The Bronx

It was a nasty trend that started last season, and it appears that its already continuing into this year. The New York Yankees had run through a number of guys last year going to the injured list and still managed to win 103 regular season games, which was good enough to grab them an American League Eastern Division title. This year, things were supposed to be different and looking up. They are starting to look up, but the injury bug hasn't stopped.

Over the last month, the Yankees have been hit with injury news to five of their regulars. James Paxton got the news before training camp even started. He had back surgery to remove a cyst and won't be able to throw anywhere close to a normal spring training routine till at least the 5th. He'll miss the start of the season.

Next we have Aaron Judge, who's dealing with right shoulder soreness. This started just before full squad workouts even began. According to reports, he's been hitting indoors, and could resume taking some swings outdoors by this weekend. Reports are he could be back to workouts by early next week.

Giancarlo Stanton is the next Yankee to hit the injured list, this one coming thanks to a strained calf. Its a mild calf strain, one which Stanton developed earlier this week doing outfield drills. According to reports, it will be a couple of weeks before we're close to seeing Stanton on the field, which possibly puts him at missing the start of the season. This could be big considering, due to injury last year, he only played in 19 games.

Tommy John Surgery has struck twice for the Yanks. Aaron Hicks is one guy who's had it. He could be back right around the all star break as he's been rehabbing in Tampa. The other one is a pretty big blow as its starting pitcher Louis Severino. He underwent surgery on it yesterday and will be out of action until the 2021 season. He's pitched in only five big league games since getting signed to a four year extension worth $40 million last fall.

Garrett Cole's signing proves to be even larger now with both Paxton and Severino out. At least on paper, the rotation now looks like Cole, Tanaka, Haap, Montgomery and Loaisiga.. Looks quite a bit different with Paxton and Severino both gone with injuries. At least Paxton is coming back, Sevy who the hell knows what he'll look like when he gets back here. Judge and Stanton are a little different. Both have been slowed down by injuries a little the last couple of seasons. Both guys are different cases because, lets face it, they aren't your average sized ball players. It'll take a little longer for them to come back and they're going to have to be treated a little different. With them out it gives guys like Clint Frazier and Mike Tauchman a chance to earn some more playing time. If both of those guys can perform, which we all know they can, then it will help keep the Yankee machine rolling right along.

We saw what happened last year with the injuries starting to stack up. I know its only the start of spring games but it might be something to keep an eye on once the dog days of summer start rolling around. Depth will be tested again this year. Can they handle it as well as they did last year? Only time will tell