CLEVELAND – The Yankees got an unexpected second day off Friday with the postponement of their series opener against the Guardians.
Before we go back to trying to build on their 10-3 start, here’s a look at the club after two weeks of games, a rainout and a doubleheader scheduled for Saturday at Progressive Field:
The catching tandem
Through 13 games, the Yankees have had a nearly even split between Austin Wells and Jose Trevino behind the plate, with Wells starting seven games and Trevino six.
This might have leaned a little more in Wells’ favor if the Marlins hadn’t just started three straight lefties against the Yankees (which also led to Jon Berti getting three starts against Oswaldo Cabrera at third base).
Aaron Boone said his daily catching decision would be based on matchups and that he didn’t want to stick certain starters to one receiver or another.
That said, Wells caught Carlos Rodon’s three starts and Luis Gil’s two starts, while Trevino caught each of Nestor Cortes’ three starts.
Neither catcher has yet provided much offense in the small sample size, although Wells put together some tough hitters in the season-opening series against the Astros and his underlying metrics are better than its actual figures.
The left-handed hitter has an expected batting average of .284 (compared to an actual average of .130), according to Baseball Savant, thanks in part to a 15.8 percent barrel rate.
Trevino, meanwhile, was hitting just 1 for 18 (.056) with an expected batting average of .110.
How does this trade work?
The Yankees and Guardians completed a small trade the day after Christmas, with right-hander Cody Morris coming to New York and outfielder Estevan Florial going to Cleveland. Only Florial is expected to be at Progressive Field in Saturday’s series opener, with Morris optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre — although that roster flexibility was a key part of the trade for the Yankees as a 26-year-old. Old Florial was out of options in the minor leagues.
Through the Guardians’ first 12 games, Florial had appeared in six: three starts at DH, one in center field and two hit appearances. He was hitting 2 for 14 with a .536 OPS and seven strikeouts, the same kind of swing and miss issues that kept him from being a bigger factor with the Yankees.
Morris, meanwhile, is off to a good start at SWB in a swingman role. In three appearances (including one two-inning start), Morris pitched 7 ¹/₃ scoreless innings, allowing three hits and five walks while striking out nine. If he can improve his command, he figures to help the Yankees bullpen at some point this season.
Lead Registration
Speaking of the Yankees minor leaguers, here are two good starts:
— Caleb Durbin opened his eyes to the organization this spring during major league camp before being optioned to Triple-A, where he continued to hit.
The 24-year-old utilityman, who started at second base, third base, shortstop, left field and center field, was hitting .385 with a 1.160 OPS, 11 walks and three strikeouts while going a perfect 7-for-7 in stolen bases through 11 games.
The 5-foot-6 Durbin, known as a player, was acquired from the Braves (along with reliever Indigo Diaz) in December 2022 for reliever Lucas Luetge.
The right-handed Durbin is not yet on the Yankees’ 40-man roster, but he could find himself there soon if he continues this trend.
— The Yankees have felt good about their catching depth recently, with four backstops currently on the 40-man roster.
The start of the season by Agustin Ramirez can only reinforce this idea.
At Double-A Somerset, Ramirez had crushed four home runs in his first five games Friday.
The 22-year-old catcher, added to the 40-man roster in November to protect him from the Rule 5 draft, got his first taste of major league camp this spring.
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