Yankees, Beset By Injuries In 2026, Are About To Get Their Injured Players Back

The Yankees have had a plan all along. They were lambasted by fans for having a terrible trade deadline, but they are about to get several players back from injury. These players will not only add power, right-handed power, to their batting order. The pitchers they get back will mean they add to their bullpen.

There have been a lot of injuries for the Yankees this season. There are currently several players out of their lineup. Getting them back, which is expected soon, is essentially like adding players at the trade deadline. The players, in order of likely return, are: Carlos Rodon, Giancarlo Stanton, Cody Bellinger, Clarke Schmidt, Aaron Judge, and Luis Gil. Who do you think the team will send to the minors when these players are activated?

Yankees Injuries: The Returning Players

The best thing about the Yankees getting injured players back at this point in the season is that those players, many of whom have been missing for months, are well-rested. Here is a list of the injured but returning players.

Carlos Rodon

Carlos Rodon will start Thursday night in AA Somerset. He will throw between 60 and 70 pitches. This is his second rehabilitation start. He could rejoin the rotation next week. The team will likely limit his pitches when he returns, maybe piggybacking him with another starting pitcher, like Will Warren.

Giancarlo Stanton

He has had two separate calf injuries and has not played for the team since April. However, he successfully ran the bases this week, although when the video of that was leaked, fans were definitely holding their breath. Maybe the team should wrap him in bubble wrap once he returns. There is no question he will be pinch-run for when he gets back.

Cody Bellinger

Bellinger is reportedly at 90% and will likely come back earlier than the 4-6 weeks that were forecast. His defensive versatility makes him exceptionally important to this team. He plays several defensive positions at a high level. He is so versatile that when he was hurt, it set the team back. It will be interesting to see which team members will be benched when he gets back.

Clarke Schmidt

Clarke Schmidt is a pitcher who has been missing for more than a year after having Tommy John surgery. Because he is likely to be pitch-limited when he returns, he is very likely to be placed in the bullpen. He has been gone so long that he is easy to forget about, but fans should not, as he has been working hard to get back by the end of the season.

Aaron Judge

There has been a lot of news about the Yankees missing their captain. His fractured rib is the most famous rib in history since Adam and Eve. He vowed to return this season, though he has yet to resume baseball activities. The over/under on his return is September 15. When he does come back, he will add a valuable piece to the lineup.

Luis Gil

Luis Gil has had two lost years for the Yankees. He did pitch an inning in the minor leagues this week. If he does come back this season, his stuff also plays well in the bullpen; however, he must throw strikes. If he can harness his high-90s fastball, he would be a weapon for the team.

Conclusion

The Yankees’ General Manager, Brian Cashman, and Manager, Aaron Boone, were heavily criticized for doing little to improve the team at the trade deadline. They were banking on injured players coming back to the team. Now, it seems they will be coming back. The good news is these players will be fresh for the stretch run.