CBS Sports: Despite getting the all-clear from doctors — with manager Aaron Boone calling Anthony Volpe a “full player” available for last night’s game — José Caballero made his sixth consecutive start at shortstop for the Yankees, batting eighth. Although the organization has continued to publicly support their third-year shortstop, actions speak louder than words, and Caballero’s continued presence in the lineup suggests that the team has at least toyed with the idea of playing the hot hand, relegating
their former top prospect to the bench for the remainder of the season.
SNY | Alex Smith: Yankees right fielder/designated hitter Aaron Judge was named American League Player of the Week, as he posted a .450/.560/1.200 slash line with five homers and nine runs in six games. This performance has arguably put him back in the driver’s seat for his third AL MVP Award, as he tries to hold off Seattle catcher Cal Raleigh and his historic offensive performance for a catcher.
MLB.com | Jon Schwartz: The trade deadline saw the Yankees add third baseman Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies, their latest attempt to bring some stability to the hot corner. As he settled into his new home in the Bronx, the Yankees’ social media team sat him down with the organization’s podcast to give fans a glimpse into the “bittersweet” transition from the only organization he had ever been a part of to the Yankees. If you’ve got the time, it’s an interesting read, and a chance to get to know a little more about a player that had largely been off our collective radars until July.
ESPN | Jesse Rogers: As the regular season begins to wind down, sports writers throughout the country consistently look for new angles to break down the playoff hunt and preview the upcoming postseason. This time around, ESPN’s Jesse Rogers asked players, coaches, executives, and scouts from throughout baseball to vote on their favorites down the stretch — and to explain which teams they view to be their biggest threats. At the moment, the American League is fairly tight, with the Toronto Blue Jays barely edging out the Detroit Tigers as the team to beat in the Junior Circuit, with the Yankees and Red Sox tied for third. The Yankees are considered a team capable of taking down their division rivals, though, with one AL executive saying that if the bullpen gets hot and begins playing to its pedigree, the team’s offense can carry them far in a weak AL.
MLB.com: Major League Baseball announced this year’s nominees for the annual Roberto Clemente Award, which honors players for their charitable work. This year, the Yankees’ nominee is Carlos Rodón, who — along with his wife Ashley — founded the Carlos Rodón Foundation to provide help for families struggling with infertility. Former Yankees outfielder Mike Tauchman also received a nomination, as they raised money to help children born with craniofacial conditions.
