The Yankees’ good fortune has taken a stark turn. The team with the best record in baseball suddenly looks like a shell of its former self.
In the span of a few hours on Wednesday, prior to the series finale against the Orioles at the Stadium, manager Aaron Boone said Jonathan Loaisiga, one of his top relievers, would spend a few weeks on the injured list, and roughly 45 minutes prior to first pitch, the team announced Giancarlo Stanton, one of its top sluggers, would be joining him.
The Stanton news wasn’t a shocker. He was pinch-hit for in the seventh inning of Tuesday’s 11-inning victory and Boone said afterward an IL stint was possible. The team termed his injury a right calf strain. Loaisiga’s IL stint, meanwhile, came out of left field somewhat, with Boone breaking the news he was dealing with right shoulder discomfort.
“He’s gone through some tests in the last couple of days,” Boone said of Loaisiga. “Similar to what he dealt with last year, probably not as severe. Just feels like it’s probably something that as a precaution we need to be smart here and take a couple of weeks and hopefully that’s all it is.”
The Stanton injury is the bigger blow, because of how well he had performed this year, notching a robust .238/.339/.523 slash line with 11 homers and 35 RBIs, and how injuries sabotaged him his first few seasons in The Bronx. The Yankees have relied heavily on the top half of their lineup, and in particular the power tandem of Aaron Judge and Stanton.
“It is something that we hope he said something early enough to where this doesn’t become a [long-term injury],” Boone said. “He was feeling good in just his normal getting around today.”
Loaisiga, meanwhile, joins Aroldis Chapman (Achilles tendinitis) and Chad Green (Tommy John surgery) as shelved top relievers. He has been shut down from throwing for the time being. Perhaps this break could be a reset for him. The right-hander has struggled this year, pitching to a 7.02 ERA in 16 ²/₃ innings with a 1.56 WHIP. In his last outing, he was battered by the White Sox for four earned runs on four hits in two-thirds of an inning.
“Look forward to getting Lo back and pitching how we know he’s capable of,” Boone said. “I think the biggest thing with Lo, it’s been a few outings that have hurt him. He’s not far off, as far as his stuff and his repertoire. Really confident it’ll click once he gets rolling.”
There was some positive injury news Wednesday. DJ LeMahieu, out of the lineup for the third straight day with left wrist discomfort, was hopeful he could return Thursday for the opener of a four-game series against the Rays and Joey Gallo was activated off of the COVID-19 list and started as the designated hitter. Josh Donaldson, also on the COVID-19 list, may be able to return at some point this weekend.
But for at least the next few weeks, the Yankees will have to make due without Stanton and Loaisiga, two of their most important players. And it is not a soft part of the schedule, featuring games against the rival Rays, improved Angels and AL Central-leading Twins.
“You got to be able to weather the storm and have other guys step up in different situations,” Boone said. “Sometimes it’s in short spurts. Sometimes, it’s longer. That’s part of the grind of the 162-game season. We’re prepared to handle that, we look forward to handling that. The season doesn’t stop for anyone.”