Despite the travel day for the big club, Adam Warren and Aaron Hicks are hoping their arduous rehab work leads to an impactful and timely return to the Bronx.
While it’s good news that the New York Yankees are heading to Toronto following an enormous sweep of the Minnesota Twins, there’s even better news on the horizon: the team is getting closer to being at full strength.
According to NJ Advanced Media’s Brendan Kuty, Adam Warren (back) threw a bullpen session yesterday and is scheduled to throw one more session before a possible simulated game this weekend.
Adam Warren throwing a bullpen now. Will throw one more, then maybe a sim game Sunday. He's not far from a return.
— Brendan Kuty (@BrendanKutyNJ) September 20, 2017
The Yankees currently have the third-best bullpen in baseball according to Fangraphs, sporting a bullpen ERA of 3.83 while averaging 10.2 strikeouts per nine. With guys like Chad Green (65.1 IP, 99 K, 1.93 ERA, .151 BAA), Tommy Kahnle(60.1 IP, 91 K, 2.54 ERA, .232 BAA) and David Robertson (63.1 IP, 89 K, 1.99 ERA, .156 BAA) having such strong 2017 campaigns, Warren can take all the time he needs to get back to full strength.
But manager Joe Girardi and the Yankees brass anticipate that Warren will have the opportunity to get some meaningful innings in at the big league level before season’s end.
Adam Warren & Aaron Hicks are nearing a return for the @Yankees as they make their run toward the playoffs, @M_Marakovits reports. pic.twitter.com/YBTHTRIfKm
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) September 20, 2017
As for the other rehabbing Yankee, Aaron Hicks (oblique) headed to Tampa yesterday to join the Instructional League to get in some batting practice and gameplay this weekend, according to YES Network’s Meredith Marakovits.
Hicks is most certainly anxious to return to the Bronx, where he was enjoying a breakout season. The strong-armed outfielder owns a WAR of 3.3 in 2017 and has raked to the tune of .265/.367/.463 with 13 home runs and 48 RBI.
Despite the impressive rookie campaign for Clint Frazier (33 G, .236/.269/.455), and Jacoby Ellsbury‘s unbelievable September that finds him batting north of .400 for the month, Hicks’ talent can do nothing but help the Pinstripers as they attempt to play a postseason series for the first time since 2012.
History Me
Not only did the Yankees finish off the three-game sweep of the Twins yesterday afternoon, but there was some serious history made in the process.
Aaron Judge became the first rookie in the history of the game to compile at least 45 home runs and 100-plus RBI in his rookie season.
Here's a list of players who had 45 homers, 100 RBIs and 100 runs scored in their rookie season:
Aaron Judge
— Jared Diamond (@jareddiamond) September 20, 2017
He’s also only the eighth Yankee with 100 runs, 100 RBI and 100 walks in a season. Quite simply, it could not have been scripted better than this.
#AllRise No. 45. Aaron Judge belts a two-run homer. He's now the eight Yankee ever with 100 R, 100 RBI and 100 BB in a season.
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) September 20, 2017
When Gary Sanchez tied the game with his third-inning blast, the backstop became the first catcher age 24 or younger to hit 32 homers in a single season since Mike Piazza did it for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1993.
.@ElGarySanchez's 32 HRs are the most by a catcher age 24 or younger since @mikepiazza31 hit 35 for the '93 Dodgers. #TheBabyBombers
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) September 20, 2017
Didi Gregorious recorded the 25th home run of the season with his fourth inning three-run blast yesterday afternoon, passing Derek Jeter(24HR in ’99) for the most home runs ever by a Yankee shortstop. Unbelievably impressive.
SIR DIDI GOES DEEP.
THREE-RUN BLAST.@DidiG18's now the owner of the MOST HR by a Yankees SS in history with his 25th blast!
9-3 Bombers. pic.twitter.com/XsMbz5ewly
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) September 20, 2017
That’s all for now from Yankee Universe for now, but be sure to stay locked in right here to Elite Sports NY for all of your Yankees news and updates.
