By ALLAN NOSOFF
Editor-In-Chief
After the second trip to the American League Championship Series in three years, the New York Yankees were eliminated by the Houston Astros on October 19th, after six games. This is the second time in three years that the Houston Astros have advanced to the World Series, winning it all back in 2017. They are facing the Washington Nationals in this October’s Fall Classic.
For the first decade since the 1910s, the Yankees failed to clinch a World Series birth. For a franchise that has won 27 titles, and last won the title in 2009, watching other teams play in the Fall Classic is something that many Yankee fans are not accustomed to.
For the Yankees, they now look into the offseason, contemplating their roster and health for the 2020 Regular Season.
Yankees General Manager, Brian Cashman, announced surgery plans for two notable All-Star players.
Cashman said that outfielder Aaron Hicks will undergo Tommy John Surgery for a partially torn ligament in his throwing elbow. Cashman adds that the surgery is planned for Wednesday, October 30th.
Hicks was sidelined from August 8th through the start of the ALCS due to a right flexor strain. He was told prior to the ALCS that Tommy John Surgery was a likelihood; yet managed to return and deliver a key three-run home run in Game 5 to keep the Yankees season alive.
Starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka also successfully completed arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow to remove bone spurs on October 23rd, said Cashman.
Hicks is expected to miss about 8-10 months, the typical recovery length for a position player from Tommy John Surgery. Tanaka is expected to be fully healthy by training camp.
Another Yankee player, who did not see much playing time this season due to injury is first baseman Luke Voit. Voit had surgery to repair bilateral core injuries and it was successfully completed on October 24th.
The Yankees have several expiring contracts on their roster. Shortstop Didi Gregorious, outfielder Brett Gardner, and reliever Dellin Betances, are among notable free agents. 1B/DH Edwin Encarnacion is a club option, and 2019 AL Reliever of the Year, Aroldis Chapman, has a player option for the 2020 season.
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