A once-promising offseason spiraled into a nightmare for the New York Yankees as injuries decimated the team ahead of Opening Day.
The Yankees believed they had constructed one of baseball’s premier rotations by adding two-time All-Star Max Fried on an eight-year, $218 million deal — the largest contract ever given to a left-handed pitcher. Now, they find themselves without 60% of their projected starting rotation.
The front office was counting on Giancarlo Stanton to help fill the Juan Soto-sized hole in the lineup after clubbing 27 home runs in 2024. Currently, there’s no timeline for when he can even resume baseball activities.
The Yankees had hoped that the frequently sidelined D.J. LeMahieu would battle for the vacant third base position with Jazz Chisholm Jr. shifting back to second base. That plan never materialized.
As Opening Day approaches, the Yankees have placed eight players on the injured list. Here’s the breakdown of who’s starting the season on the shelf:
- Pitcher Clayton Beeter: Placed on 15-day IL (retroactive to 3/24) with right shoulder impingement
- Pitcher J.T. Brubaker: Placed on 15-day IL (retroactive to 3/24) with left rib fractures
- Pitcher Scott Effross: Placed on 15-day IL (retroactive to 3/24) with left hamstring strain
- Pitcher Ian Hamilton: Placed on 15-day IL (retroactive to 3/24) with viral illness
- Pitcher Jonathan Loáisiga: Placed on 15-day IL (retroactive to 3/24) with right elbow surgery recovery
- Pitcher Clarke Schmidt: Placed on 15-day IL (retroactive to 3/24) with right rotator cuff tendonitis
- Infielder D.J. LeMahieu: Placed on 10-day IL (retroactive to 3/24) with left calf strain
- Designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton: Placed on 10-day IL (retroactive to 3/24) with right and left elbow epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
Earlier today, the Yankees made the following roster moves:
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) March 26, 2025
• Optioned RHP Yerry de los Santos to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
• Placed RHP Clayton Beeter on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to 3/24) with right shoulder impingement syndrome.
• Placed RHP JT Brubaker on…
The Yankees are also missing ace Gerrit Cole, who is out for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, and reigning American League Rookie of the Year Luis Gil, who won’t return until June while recovering from a lat strain.
The injury-riddled Yankees will host the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday to begin their regular season.
