The Yankees are breaking down again. The news from Friday’s pre-game in Baltimore was jarring:
Center fielder Aaron Hicks may be headed for left wrist surgery and designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton was scratched due to left quad tightness.
Hicks has a torn sheath, which holds his wrist tendon in place and probably will find out this weekend if medication can fix his issue or if he needs surgery.
As for Stanton, this has to be very concerning because he’s missed most of the last two seasons with muscle pulls and strains. And this year, Stanton has been one of the few productive Yankees. There was no immediate word on how long Stanton would be sidelined.
Stanton was in the Yankees’ original lineup for Friday as the No. 2 hitter. Instead, first baseman Luke Voit was moved up from cleanup to second and Gary Sanchez is batting fourth as the DH instead of not starting.
First pitch for the Yankees’ Friday night’s series opener against the Orioles is scheduled for 7:05 at Oriole Park. WPIX and MLB Network will televise the game.
The pitching matchup involves two right-handers, Corey Kluber (2-2, 3.06) for the Yankees and Dean Kremer (0-3, 6.23) for the Orioles.
Kluber is 2-1 with a 1.80 ERA over his last four starts after starting the season 0-1 with a 6.10 ERA in his first three outings.
Facing the Yankees in his season debut on April 6, Kremer allowed three runs over three innings on four hits and five walks, and was the losing pitcher in 7-2 Yankees win at Yankee Stadium.
The Yankees have won 4 series in a row and are 14-6 in their last 20 games after starting the season 6-11. The Yanks are 4-3 against the Orioles, 2-2 in Baltimore.
Here is the Yankees’ lineup:
1. DJ LeMahieu, 2B
2. Luke Voit, 1B
3. Aaron Judge, RF
4. Gary Sanchez, DH
5. Clint Frazier, LF
6. Brett Gardner, CF
7. Miguel Andujar, 3B
8. Kyle Higashioka, C
9. Tyler Wade, SS
Corey Kluber, RHP
Here is the Orioles’ lineup:
1. Cedric Mullins, CF
2. Austin Hays, LF
3. Trey Mancini, 1B
4. Freddy Galvis, SS
5. Ryan Mountcastle, DH
6. DJ Stewart, RF
7. Maikel Franco, 3B
8. Pedro Severino, C
9. Pat Valaika, 2B
Dean Kremer, RHP
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