MLB News With The Yankees

This is what passes for good news in the New York Yankees’ world – an injured player is not hurt too badly.

When the Yankees begin a two-game series with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night, second baseman DJ LaMahieu (knee contusion) might be available. Better still, so might third baseman Gio Urshela (bruised left hand). Both were hurt in the weekend series against the San Francisco Giants.

Nearly every “name” Yankee – Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Troy Tulowitzki, CC Sabathia, Luis Severino, Aaron Hicks, Gary Sanchez – has been unavailable or on the injured list since the season began. Six of the starters on Opening Day have spent time on the injured list. Severino, who should be the ace of the pitching staff, may miss six more weeks.

And yet the Yankees keep plugging in bodies – where did they find Cameron Maybin? – and winning.

They’re 17-11, winners of eight of their last nine. They’re 6-1 on the current road trip. And they’re in second place in the American League East, 1 ½ games behind the Tampa Bay Rays going into Monday night’s action. Manager Aaron Boone is quick to acknowledge how well so many substitutes or back of the roster guys – Maybin, Domingo German – have stepped in and stepped up.

“It’s been a lot of fun to see people … come in and contribute and perform,” Boone told MLB.com, “That’s allowed us to continue to win games and that’s been very rewarding.”

 
 
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman