Life with out Giancarlo Stanton means completely different seems for the Yankees lineup.
With the designated hitter/outfielder struggling a Grade 2 left hamstring pressure over the weekend, Aaron Boone stated that he’s extra open to configurations that characteristic Anthony Volpe within the leadoff spot and DJ LeMahieu in the midst of the order. Tuesday’s series-opener against the Angels had the rookie Volpe hitting first and enjoying shortstop, whereas LeMahieu batted fifth and manned third base.
The Yankees additionally used the 2 in these slots on Sunday, the day after Stanton hurt his hammy.
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“You would see that some, yeah. That’s definitely attainable,” Boone stated Tuesday earlier than the sport. “I probably like that.”
Already accustomed to transferring round defensively, the versatile LeMahieu has been the Bombers’ go-to leadoff man since his first season with the crew in 2019. Volpe, in the meantime, has principally hit ninth to start his huge league profession, although the 21-year-old has led off twice with LeMahieu out of the lineup.
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The hope is that the contact oriented LeMahieu can drive extra runs in whereas hitting ready primed to take action whereas Stanton is out. Volpe, in the meantime, maintains a pointy eye on the high of the order whereas bringing sooner wheels than LeMahieu’s.
“His DNA is management the strike zone,” Boone stated when requested why he’s snug with the neophyte hitting first. “And when he actually will get rolling, you’re gonna see that at a very excessive degree. Even these first couple of weeks, and he hasn’t been on hearth, you continue to see that in there, his capacity to put off pitches. He’s lower out for that. Clearly, add the pace combine to it.”
Volpe entered Tuesday’s contest with seven stolen bases, and he drew a bases-loaded stroll within the recreation that put the Yankees on the board. LeMahieu, in the meantime, didn’t report successful within the 5-2 Yankees loss.
Then there’s Gleyber Torres, who has occupied Stanton’s cleanup spot within the two video games since his harm. Boone hopes to have Stanton again in six weeks following a scorching begin that included 4 dwelling runs and 11 RBI.
Within the meantime, the Yankees can’t exchange the slugger’s energy, however they’re hoping these lineup tweaks will preserve the offense producing whereas Stanton recovers from his newest leg harm.
“We’ll simply let it play out the way it does and look ahead to getting him again,” Boone stated. “And within the meantime, create some alternatives for different individuals to hopefully step up and fill the void that clearly he creates within the center.”
