The New York Yankees‘ latest trade, executed a few days ago, netted them their current starting third baseman (Josh Donaldson) and shortstop (Isiah Kiner-Falefa), plus a backup catcher in Ben Rortvedt.
They had to surrender catcher Gary Sanchez and third baseman Gio Urshela in the transaction.
One of the additions, Rortvedt, is already dealing with an injury.
According to ESPN’s Marly Rivera, it has the potential of sending him to the injured list to start the season.
“Yankees GM Brian Cashman said that the club was aware of catcher Ben Rortvedt’s oblique strain; said ‘it is possible’ he starts the season on the IL,” Rivera tweeted.
Yankees GM Brian Cashman said that the club was aware of catcher Ben Rortvedt’s oblique strain; said “it is possible” he starts the season on the IL.
— Marly Rivera (@MarlyRiveraESPN) March 21, 2022
Per MLB’s Bryan Hoch, the situation is ‘resolving,’ and it’s unclear if he will start the year on the shelf.
Brian Cashman said that the #Yankees were aware of Ben Rortvedt’s oblique injury at the time of the trade. “It’s resolving,” he said. Unclear if Rortvedt will be ready for Opening Day.
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) March 21, 2022
“It’s an oblique strain, it’s gonna take time. So is there enough time to get it out of the out of the way before Opening Day, which means also getting him prepared properly? I don’t know yet,” the GM said, per Max Goodman of SI.com.
The Yankees’ Catching Situation Is Not Ideal
Rortvedt was supposed to be fighting with Kyle Higashioka for playing time.
Rortvedt hits lefty, while Higashioka is right-handed, so they could complement each other nicely in the form of a platoon.
Now, however, it looks like Higashioka will be the undisputed starter, with Rob Brantly handling backup duties at the moment because of his MLB experience.
There may not be enough time to bring in an upgrade via trade, and there aren’t any difference-makers available in free agency.
Rortvedt hit .169/.229/.281 in 98 plate appearances with the Twins in 2021, but his minor league performance suggests he could hit a little better than that.
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