Coppola: Pain Relief All Good For Yankees

By William Coppola

There’s something in the air here in the Bronx this year, unfamiliar names that are going to give the Yankees a giant headache. The pain in the head for the Bombers is that when the regulars begin to come off the IL, DL etc. What are they going to do with guys like Thairo Estrada, Mike Tauchman and Gio Urshela  when the regulars all return?
The Left side of the infield with Estrada batting and Urshela is the best I have seen since Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter and that was seen again Monday night in the Bronx as the Yankees took the first game of four from Seattle 7-3.
Honestly, there were at least four playsthat were a highlight film for MLB tomorrow. When you add the fact that these two also accounted for one home run, three hits and three runs scored, it was enough to give C.C. Sabathia and Aaron Boone a lot to smile about.
“We’ve obviously faced our share of adversity and these guys have answered the bell every day,” said manager Aaron Boone. “I’m just happy to see guys continue to step up.”
Boone added that in this make ship lineup everyone is contributing to the Yankees winning ballgames with all the adversity. Estrada and Urshela were factors in this Yankees win and ot could be difficult to send them down to Scranton when the injured all return.
Estrada hit his first Major League home run in the second inning, a two run shot that paved the way for Sabathia and the Yankees to pile on six runs in the first two innings.
Urshela, 2-for-3, raised his average to .352. He made some outstanding plays at third and that helps Boone to put Miguel Andujar in the DH spot as the lineup was situated Monday night.
Also the work at first base by Luke Voit is getting better and better. He is looking more and more like Mark Teixeira and All-Star spot is possible this year. His bat has been big for the Yankees where he has taken up the slack with the likes of Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Hicks.
His ability to gig out balls in the dirt has saved infielders like Teixeira would do  for Jeter and Rodriguez years ago. Just a pleasant surprise pick-up where the Yankees only gave up Chasen Shreve and Giovanny Gallegos on July 27th last year.  The 28-year old Shreve didn’t impress with a 5.00 ERA in nine innings pitched for the Cardinals  and on March 22nd, he was designated for assignment and outrighted to AAA Memphis on March 27th.
So, Voit is in the Bronx and has locked that permanent spot at first base. Even if Greg Bird returns from injury, Voit seems to be the everyday player.
We knew the Yankees were deep in their farm system and with all these call ups because of injured starters it has given the club a good look at what they have. It has also given other teams a good look at what the Yankees have. 
Don’t be surprise if you see the Yankees making a deal with some team for a starter in June that would include one or more of these guys who have moved from prospects to the ranks of “This guy is ready to play in the big leagues.”
Nice to have headaches like these.
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