The chances are high that the New York Yankees will be competing in a wild card playoff game come the start of the postseason. With the Toronto Blue Jays set to win the division, the Yankees are preparing for the playoff game which means deciding which pitcher gets the start. That could be the biggest issue for the Yankees as their rotation is either dealing with injuries or slumping.
All eyes are on Masahiro Tanaka. According to Wallace Matthews on ESPN.com, Tanaka is still being hampered by a hamstring injury that could throw the rotation into flux if he cannot get healthy. The pitcher tossed a 31-pitch bullpen session on Friday, but is still struggling with a Grade 1 sprain still lingering. Now the Yankees must decide if it is worth putting an injured Tanaka into the one-game wild card matchup or risk someone like CC Sabathia or Luis Severino who has been struggling.
"That's something we have to decide on how he feels," manager Joe Girardi said, via ESPN.com. "I know everyone wants an answer, but it's really not that simple because of his value to us moving forward. It's something you have to weigh. Is it worth the risk maybe moving it up a day or two days if you need him, to what could possibly happen? It's a careful situation that we're trying to manage. I wish I knew, really."
The Yankees are banking on Tanaka being the pitcher that would be the starter in the wild card game. Nathan Eovaldi is struggling with elbow inflammation. Ivan Nova is still not healthy following Tommy John surgery. Tanaka is truly the best option for New York and Girardi told the media that he still feels confident that despite the injury, the pitcher will be ready to go. The biggest issue is getting Tanaka one more start before the wild card game.
He's going through treatment today," Girardi said, via NJ.com. "He said he feels better today physically, but we're not sure exactly when we will slot him in yet. I'm pretty confident [he'll pitch in regular season]. But as I said, we've got to make sure that he's where he needs to be before we put him out there."
Outside of the pitching rotation, the Yankees have another decision to make before the postseason starts. Rob Refsnyder got his first start at second base in place of Stephen Drew and is now forcing the team's hand for the playoffs. Refsnyder looked the role of a young star. According to NJ.com, the Yankees must decide if he is the best option for the position over the veteran who Girardi has stuck by all season.
"Over the last month that I've been here, it's just kind of played out by itself," Refsnyder said, via NJ.com. "It seems like everyone is kind of just embracing their role and trying to prepare and get ready as best they can."
