TAMPA – Judge Aaron is “hoping and praying” for the best thing for Gerrit Cole, finding the silver lining of the Yankees' desolate camp. It's spring training and not yet mid-March.
The team's captain held a short, cutting-edge speech in front of the locker on Sunday. He expressed a lot of confidence in the club, even among the relatively few stars he still stands.
Giancarlo Stanton is unable to swing the bat and requires a third round of PRP injection in his elbow.
Lewis Gill has been out for months at tense latitudes.
DJ Lemahieu's calves hurt after two at-bats.
JT Brubaker destroyed three ribs.
Top Prospect Chase Hampton required Tommy John's surgery.
Among those who are depressed in the bullpen are Jake Cousins, Scott Efross, Tyler Matzek and Clayton Beter.
But the biggest concern with the wide margin surrounds Cole, whose elbow barked in the spring for the second time in a row.
This time there is a real concern that Cole might be inevitable to go under the knife.
As the judge left the team's facility on Saturday, he crossed the road on a call that arrived in the parking lot.
The two discussed the discussion judge for about 20 minutes.
“He's a tough guy. See what happens,” the judge said Sunday after training. “And what he was advised and what he wanted to do.
“But I always pray for the best. He's a big part of this team. He's an ace – he's the one who leads us and leads this pitching staff. Let's take a look – hopefully the good news.”
It is possible that the team lost its flagship and rotation leader a few weeks before the season began. The judge wanted to remind us that the season hadn't started yet.
Spring training saw an onslaught of injuries, but “I think it's better now if I had time for something to happen,” the judge said.
“We're not playing any meaningful games,” the judge added. “You've got a few weeks. If it's a small thing, I hope you can go back and go back where you need it. …But seeing a lot of them is never great.
“But I think it gives us the opportunity to see other young people we have.
The judge pointed out Gill. Gill is hurt himself, but last season appeared virtually everywhere, pitching like a call for the first few months of the season.
The judge mentioned Austin Wells, Anthony Volpe and Jazz Chisholm Jr. as young players with strong camps and can make the leap.
The injury has not bleaked his hopes this season.
“We're in a good place,” the judge said.
Without Cole and Gill, Marcus Stroman will be in the rotation and Will Warren is the frontrunner to join him.
Warren tasted badly in majors last season (ERA 10.32 ERA in 22²/₃ innings), but he's returned to a rare bright spot at camp.
Young Ridy allowed one run in eight Grapefruit Tree Gunnings and looked sharper, smarter and more like he became a top prospect.
“I haven't done it [faced] He this year – but I don't want to face him from what I'm seeing this year,” the judge said with a slight laugh. “It was a little crisp and I really tweaked all his pitches. I think the command has gotten much better.”
