S.T. Petersburg, Fla. – Before Friday night, Matt Carpenter had not entered a major league game with the Cardinals since April 30, 2021.
But in his second game since signing with the Yankees, the 36-year-old beat Tampa Bay 2-0.
Carpenter has reached base twice in each of his first two games with the Yankees, providing some product from the injured lineup.
After two tough seasons with St. Louis, where he played for 11 years, the Rangers with his Triple-A affiliated company allowed him to leave.
“It’s great when you go from your living room to the best team in baseball,” Carpenter said.
Homer, a solo shot to the right at the top of the fourth, was the result of a carpenter’s swing overhaul last year.
“It feels good,” said the carpenter. “I grind hard to try to fix [my swing] in the off-season. I spent two months playing in Triple-A and the hard work paid off. “
Even as the Yankees’ lineup returns to health, manager Aaron Boone said Carpenter would “possibly” play the role.
Boone said the Yankees were putting tabs on carpenters early in the season.
“Presumably, we think he still has a lot left on the left side of the plate,” Boone said. “We’re excited about what he can do.”
DJ LeMahieu did not play again, but Boone said he could have pinched if needed.
And Aaron Hicks, who has been sidelined for the second night in a row due to a tight right hamstring, is also feeling well and could return on Saturday.
“I’m ready to play here [Friday],” said Hicks, who felt the tightness of his right thumb during Wednesday’s game in the Bronx. “But playing on turf [on Tropicana field] is not a comfortable feeling, especially if you are not used to it.”
With Hicks still on the sidelines, Aaron Judge started in center field for the second straight game, not ideal considering Hicks’ context. Boone said he intends to act as a judge-appointed hitter on Saturday or Sunday.
Lemahiu’s left wrist injury led to a “significant improvement” before the opening of the four-match series on Thursday, when it seemed possible to find a place on the injury list.
The Yankees’ IL already includes Giancarlo Stanton (ankle sprain), who was doing some “light beatings and healing” at Yankee Stadium on Friday, according to Boone.
“I think we avoided the situation there,” Boone said. “We’ve had encouragement over the last few days.”
Boone added that it was “possible” that Stanton would lose at least 10 games.
Zack Britain is not the only experienced reliever that the Yankees hope to return to in the second half of the season.
Pitching coach Matt Blake said right-hander Jimmy Cordero, who is rehabilitating after Tommy John’s surgery, could be a part of the bullpen for the next month or so.
“He’ll be joining here soon,” Blake said of the 30-year-old. “He looked good, he was throwing with that sinker in the mid 90’s. It’s close to a rehabilitation assignment. “
In March 2021, Cordero underwent elbow surgery. He was most recently impressed in 2019, when he made 0.97 VHIP in 36 innings in more than 30 matches with the White Sox. He played poorly for the White Sox in the 26 ² / ₃ innings with a 1.58 WHIP and 6.08 ERA, in the covid-short season of 2020, followed by Tommy John’s surgery in 2021 after a bad spring.
Britain will throw its first bullpen session on Tuesday after last year’s elbow surgery and could return to the pen in August. And while Domingo is preparing for the German (back) starter, it could be another option from Penn until July if needed.
Chad Green has been moved to the 60-day IL, with Tommy John undergoing surgery next week.
