:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55287777/665021526.0.jpg)
Newsday | Erik Boland: Greg Bird’s imminent return isn’t so imminent after all. He had been struggling during the Triple-A portion of his rehab and we finally know why. The Yankees have “pulled the plug” on Bird’s rehab for now after he reported that he wasn’t feeling right. He’ll be sent to see Dr. Christopher Ahmad for further evaluation. Brian Cashman said Bird fouled a ball off his knee within the last 10 days, which could’ve possibly contributed to his setback.
New York Post | George A. King III: While the rotation took a big hit with CC Sabathia going down, the bullpen looks like it’ll be getting a big boost on Sunday. Closer Aroldis Chapman is set to return to the team for the series finale versus the Athletics. Chapman is scheduled to pitch for Double-A Trenton today and then join the team on Sunday as long as there are no setbacks.
New York Daily News | Mike Mazzeo: The Yankees have officially placed CC Sabathia on the 10-day disabled list. Luis Cessa has been recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to presumably start in his place. The team is also thinking about once again giving Masahiro Tanaka, slated to start Saturday, an extra day, so it remains to be seen if Cessa would start Saturday or Sunday. The Yankees also sent Ronald Herrera back to Double-A Trenton and recalled Domingo German from Triple-A.
Sports Illustrated | Jay Jaffe: CC Sabathia is once again a pitcher the Yankees depend upon. Last year, he was the second-best starter behind Masahiro Tanaka, and this year behind Luis Severino. Sabathia’s injury is not what the Yankees needed, but it’s not a blow either. His injury provides opportunity. The Yankees can use this time to audition internal rotation options as the trade market is slim. Sabathia has had the same injury before but says it isn’t as bad this time, he’s hoping to be back soon.
FanRag Sports | Jodry McElroy: Since his debut, Cody Bellinger has hit more home runs in baseball than anyone else and we all know Aaron Judge and his monster dongs. Both rookies can mash and MLB should encourage them to participate in the Home Run Derby. Both have said they’d be interested if invited/asked, so it just seems like a formality at this point. I’m just glad they play in different leagues so they’re not competing with each other for Rookie of the Year honors.
MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: If there was one takeway following the 2017 MLB Draft it’s that the Yankees were after pitching, specifically right-handed pitching. 28 of the 40 selections were pitchers, and 23 of those pitchers were righties. Damon Oppenheimer, the Yankees' vice president of domestic amateur scouting, says the Yankees feel good about their haul and their research showed teams have a better success rate with pitchers in later rounds.