The New York Yankees made a couple of moves on Tuesday that could shape the rest of their regular season and their playoffs.
After a long battle with plantar fasciitis, they are finally getting the player they traded for just before the deadline: center fielder Harrison Bader.
To make room on the roster for him, however, they are placing Frankie Montas, another trade acquisition, on the 15-day injured list with shoulder issues.
“CF Harrison Bader is officially activated and will make his #Yankees debut tonight. Starter Frankie Montas, who also was acquired at the trade deadline, goes on the 15-day IL with right shoulder inflammation,” USA Today’s Bob Nightengale tweeted on Tuesday.
CF Harrison Bader is officially activated and will make his #Yankees debut tonight.
Starter Frankie Montas, who also was acquired at the trade deadline, goes on the 15-day IL with right shoulder inflammation.— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) September 20, 2022
Montas, who has a 6.35 ERA with the Yankees in 39.2 frames, has battled shoulder soreness for a while now.
Montas’ Shoulder Keeps Barking
In fact, he suffered the original injury in July.
The Yankees, however, had no issues with the Oakland Athletics’ medicals on the player.
He could potentially return for the playoffs, should the Yankees make it out of the Division Series round and, of course, provided he is healthy.
Bader, on the other hand, had a .256/.303/.370 line in 264 plate appearances with the St. Louis Cardinals this year before his injury.
He has some power and speed, but his best asset is his Gold-Glove like defense in center field.
That should really help the Yankees in their quest for the World Series.
As for Montas, he is also under contract for next year so he could have a fresh start in 2023.
He also has a chance to contribute in the Championship Series, but he will need to get 100 percent healthy before thinking about a return.
NEXT: MLB Insider Breaks Down Aaron Judge's Historic Season