With Aaron Judge sidelined, the New York Yankees are barely surviving, but they are losing ground. With the offense producing just enough runs, the pitching has mostly been excellent and the team is nine games over.500 going into Thursday’s game.
However, Wednesday night dealt the Bombers yet another setback. In left field, Jake Bauers was diving for a line drive when he hurt his shoulder. It was a double whammy as well, since Bauers’ error in judgment led to a run being scored (and the inning being extended, giving the Orioles two additional runs).
But it’s not Bauers’ fault. He’s not an outfielder by nature! Although he played first base as a child and made a few stints as an outfielder with the Rays, Guardians, and Mariners, it wasn’t enough to make him a trustworthy defender. He still appears unsteady when using his routes outside.
The most common position player in the game, outfielders, are somehow in short supply for the Yankees. They signed Bauers to a minor-league contract in the offseason because they liked his bat, and before they knew it, they needed him to bat meaningful innings every night.
But as time went on, how could they not use him more as a backup first baseman and DH? There was a chance to do so because Giancarlo Stanton has been injured for longer than he has been healthy. Even when players are in their most comfortable positions, this team is beset by injury. However, the Yankees have only used Bauers 40 more times after seeing him hurt his knee in his first game back in the major leagues. He’s now on his way to the MRI.
