Around the Empire: Yankees news - 3/8/20

SNY | Corey Hersch: The Yankees’ daily injury briefing produced some news yesterday. Gary Sanchez has a sore back and will be held back until Monday, but just as a precaution. Giancarlo Stanton resumed baseball activities, but is still on track to miss Opening Day. Meanwhile, bullpen hopefuls Ben Heller and Chad Bettis are also out with back issues of their own.

MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: Jonathan Loaisiga put together another solid start for the Yankees on Saturday, and the team needs to decide where he can help them most—in the rotation or in the bullpen. Although most signs pointed to the ‘pen before the season, Loaisiga is needed more in the rotation right now, and has put together an excellent spring as a starter. Regardless, Aaron Boone said that he believes Loaisiga will have a “big impact” on the club wherever he pitches.

NJ.com | Randy Miller: Although Aaron Judge will be out for weeks with a stress fracture in his rib, Boone thinks the Yankees are “covered” in right field in the meantime. He confirmed that Clint Frazier will get most of the reps out there, as well as Stanton when he returns. In other words, don’t expect the Yankees to go out and sign Yasiel Puig.

CBS Sports | Shanna McCarriston: I’m still not over the Astros’ cheating scandal, and it doesn’t appear that the Yankees (or the rest of their fans) are either. One fan took it to another level by presenting a mock garbage can to Aroldis Chapman to sign, which he gladly did. There’s no word on if Chapman’s signature was as sloppy as Jose Altuve’s alleged tattoo.