Brian Cashman admits Yankees are shorthanded at first base, left side of infield
A year after his season ended prematurely because of a concussion and in the midst of a slow start to this campaign, Anthony Rizzo started his 25th game in a row at first base Wednesday night.The Yankees have not been able to give Rizzo, who entered play having a subpar defensive season and with just a .626 OPS, a breather.The ostensible backup first baseman is Oswaldo Cabrera, who has become the starting third baseman.The Yankees’ infield has been unbalanced and will continue to be unbalanced for the foreseeable future after DJ LeMahieu’s setback and with Jon Berti not yet ready to return from the injured list.Brian Cashman believed the issue would be resolved as LeMahieu made his return, but a foot that grew sore as soon as his rehab assignment began Tuesday has further complicated the Yankees’ infield predicament.“I feel like we’ve got a little bit of exposure, especially first-base coverage behind Rizzo,” Cashman said at a mural unveiling hosted by The Bronx Children’s Museum and the Players Alliance.
“And left side of the infield coverage is a little bit exposed with Berti down, obviously LeMahieu down.We’re a little vulnerable right now because of that.”The Yankees entered play with six healthy outfielders — including recent pick-up Taylor Trammell and seldom-used Trent Grisham — and five healthy infielders.
The only backup on the dirt was Jahmai Jones, who is mostly limited to second base as an infielder.Thus, Cabrera has not been able to roam around the field and has stuck at third base, Rizzo is entrenched at first and Anthony Volpe must literally be an everyday shortstop.
Berti, who is out with a left groin strain, could begin a rehab assignment this weekend and could become an option next week.When he is ready, he could become a fairly regular player at third base, which would enable Cabrera to move around and give Rizzo and Volpe a day off here or there.
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