aaron-judge.jpg

Back when the Major League Baseball season was slated to begin on March 26, before the COVID-19 pandemic changed life and delayed sport, the New York Yankees were about to enter the season without a number of key contributors because of injury. The season is now supposed to launch on July 23, and it appears that the Yankees are in better health based on the updates general manager Brian Cashman provided to the press on Tuesday afternoon.

While these things are subject to change at any given moment, especially during a global pandemic, Cashman said he is "optimistic" that outfielder Aaron Judge will be in the Opening Day lineup, according to Gary H. Phillips. Likewise, Cashman believes left-handed starter James Paxton and outfielder Aaron Hicks will be good to go, and that Giancarlo Stanton should be available for at least DH duty.

For those who have long forgotten the specifics of what plagued each of the above: Judge had been sidelined by a broken rib; Paxton (back) and Hicks (elbow) had been recovering from surgeries; and Stanton had been dealing with a strained calf. The season being delayed by nearly four months afforded each the chance to heal without missing game action.

The Yankees were hit harder by injuries than any other team in 2019. Judge, Stanton, and Hicks -- an All-Star outfield, essentially -- combined to appear in an average of 60 games. The Yankees changed their training and conditioning staffs over the winter, with an eye on having their best players available more often in 2020 and heading forward.

Whether that proves to be the case or not is to be determined. The Yankees are expected to open the season on July 23, reportedly against the Washington Nationals. Provided everyone stays healthy, that game would likely mark Gerrit Cole's regular season debut with the Yankees.