As the New York Yankees approach one of the most important seasons in franchise history, health is wealth. If the Yankees continue to cope with injuries as they have in recent years, they should expect similar poor results. Unfortunately, that has already begun in New York. According to Bryan Hoch, Jose Trevino had a calf strain a few weeks ago and will miss the first few Spring Training games. A calf strain isn’t the end-all-be-all, but the fact that it’s already happening is concerning.
Trevino, 31, is a former All-Star and Platinum Glove winner. He’s regarded as one of baseball’s best defensive catchers and is essential for the Yankees to perform at their peak.
Austin Wells, who previously competed for the starting catching position, will now have an even greater shot to be New York’s Opening Day catcher. The Yankees must prevent every conceivable injury because their season depends on how healthy they are. Spring training allows players to rehab minor injuries, and it appears that Trevino will do so at camp. It is not uncommon for players to enter Spring Training with minor injuries.
It’s hardly surprising that others would leave with minor injuries as well. However, New York fans are pleading for a healthy season, as that has been one of the primary reasons why they have failed to win the World Series.
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Yankees are ‘hellbent on being a winner’ after catastrophic 2023
TAMPA — Early spring training proclamations frequently have the shelf life of a cup of ice cream on a summer afternoon in The Bronx.
Aaron Boone used that prism to qualify many of his comments Wednesday about his hopes for the 2024 Yankees.
But, knowing that talk is cheap this time of year, especially after a catastrophic 1982-80 season, the manager was more adamant about one message in particular.
“We’re hellbent on being a champion,” Boone said at George M. Steinbrenner Field, where Yankees pitchers and catchers have officially reported for camp. “We appreciate that last year was not what anyone in this organization wanted, demanded, or expected. I would say we have put so much effort into it, from ownership to the front office to the coaches and staff, all the way down to the players, that I believe we have adequately prepared. We are ready to go.
“But once again, we have something to show you. I plan to talk to [reporters] every day. Whatever I say now, next week, next month, or throughout the season, we must prove it. I believe we have a possibility to be a truly special team. That’s all there is right now. We need to go show the world that we’re as good as we think we are.”
Of course, the Yankees had high hopes around this time last year as well, only for their never-ending litany of ailments to begin in spring training, leading to a season in which their offense was one of the worst in baseball.
This time around, they have reinforcements in the form of Juan Soto, Alex Verdugo, Trent Grisham, and Marcus Stroman; plenty of internal candidates for bounce-back seasons; and a renewed sense of urgency for an organization that was embarrassed by last season and has now been 15 years since winning (or even appearing in) a World Series.
“Look, I think anytime you’re a championship-level team — and hopefully in the end we’re holding that trophy, that’s what we’re here to try and accomplish — I think a lot of things have to go right,” Boone said in an interview. “Start with health. You’re going to have health issues here and there during the season, but hopefully for the most part, especially a lot of your core guys, you’ll be able to go to the post on a consistent basis. That is a significant factor.
“Obviously, after what we went through as a club last year, nobody wants that to happen again. And it clearly left a bad taste. It’s like having sand kicked in your face. And I believe we have a group that is constantly focused and disciplined in preparation for a successful season. But I believe there’s an additional level of edge and intensity in not wanting that to happen again.”
The reality is that the Yankees have the reigning AL Cy Young champion (Gerrit Cole) and two of the game’s top five hitters (Soto and Judge).
Aside from that, they have the potential for a good supporting cast, but there are a lot of “ifs” in that equation, notably about the health of their rotation (especially with so much unproven depth behind it) and some of their key experienced bats.
Carlos Rodon, Nestor Cortes, Giancarlo Stanton, Anthony Rizzo, and DJ LeMahieu have little time this spring to adequately answer the questions that will follow them into the season.
For the time being, Boone and general manager Brian Cashman have recently praised all of them, praising the work they have done over the offseason — many of whom are among the large group of players who have been working out in Tampa for over a month — to put themselves in a better position heading into the spring.
However, they understand that it will take more than words, offseason work, and dedication for the Yankees to right the course in a make-or-break 2024.
