The New York Yankees will have to decide what they want to do with a few players on the roster when everybody is healthy.
With Giancarlo Stanton now going to the IL, there are fewer questions than usual, though there will still be some that follow. Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe is expected to return from the IL sometime in the near future, as he’s been playing in rehab games for Triple-A and Double-A in the Yankees organization.
When examining what that could mean for the Yankees, it’s possible that two veterans on the roster get the short end of the stick, with one of Randal Grichuk or Paul Goldschmidt possibly being designated for assignment.
“Before Stanton returns, the Yankees may activate shortstop Anthony Volpe from the IL. Volpe is continuing his rehab assignment following offseason shoulder surgery and could be ready for the majors ahead of this weekend’s series against the Baltimore Orioles. Boone said before Monday’s 4-2 win over the Texas Rangers that they have not yet decided on Volpe’s return date, but if all goes well for him in the coming days, he is expected to be cleared by the end of the week,” Chris Kirschner of The Athletic wrote.
“That leaves designating Grichuk or Goldschmidt if the Yankees want to keep Domínguez in the majors. With Rice’s emergence and his viability against left-handed pitching, Goldschmidt’s value to the roster has taken a hit. But the Yankees are paying him $4 million this season — and even though he’s batting .179, his underlying metrics suggest there’s still juice left in his bat.”
Getting rid of Grichuk or Goldschmidt would be a tough decision for the Yankees, as both of them somewhat play a similar role in terms of hitting against left-handed pitching. However, if the Yankees feel confident in some of their young players to get the job done, there is no reason to hold on to two veterans who likely won’t play a major role in the future of this organization beyond this season.