The Yankees and Mets were both hit with further injury concerns on Monday, as Sean Manaea will likely start the season on the IL with an oblique strain, and Giancarlo Stanton is heading back to New York on what was initially thought to be further testing for his struggles with tennis elbow, but since been classified by Aaron Boone as a trip that is "personal" in nature.
On the Yankees side, Evan says the Stanton news is obviously a concern, as he has apparently been battling this ailment in both elbows since the end of last season, and it hasn’t gotten any better after months away from game action. Given his injury history, when can he be realistically expected to return, and what happens to the Yankee lineup if Stanton is gone and Juan Soto has left?
“The Giancarlo Stanton thing is almost impossible not to worry about. The fact that he’s coming back to New York, and the dueling tennis elbow issue has been a problem for a while, and has continued to be a problem, is a worry,” Evan said. “Who replaces him? What really worries me about the Yankee offense, they have guys where if things break right they should have a decent lineup, but if you take one or two guys away, where’s the depth? If Giancarlo Stanton isn’t ready for Opening Day, who is the DH? Is it Everson Pereira, coming off Tommy John surgery? Is it DJ LeMahieu with Oswald Peraza playing third? Is it Ben Rice?
“I don’t think the Yankees are equipped to losing him for a while.’’
As for Manaea, the expected ace of the Mets staff, he becomes the latest starting pitching casualty for a rotation already with its share of question marks, as Frankie Montas is shut down for 4-6 weeks with a lat strain. The depth of the staff is in question, and while Evan says he is not worried “on the surface,” it could become a very real concern if the weeks go by and Manaea is not back on a throwing program getting ready for the season.
“Here’s where I am worried: they already lost Frankie Montas,” Evan said. “And just because he says he can throw in a few weeks, it doesn’t mean he will. So, if you’re down two starters, then I get worried.”