Yankees Face A Huge Question With Injured Starters Set For Return This Week

Yankees Face Huge Question With Injured Starters Set for Return This Week

Rotation Decisions Loom as Montgomery, Taillon Prepare to Rejoin

The New York Yankees are set to welcome back two key members of their starting rotation this week, but manager Aaron Boone faces a tough decision on how to fit them back into the mix. Jordan Montgomery and Jameson Taillon, who have been out with injuries since May, are set to begin rehab assignments and could be ready to rejoin the team by the end of the week.

Yanks' Rotation Options

With Montgomery and Taillon returning, the Yankees now have eight healthy starters to choose from. Gerrit Cole, Nestor Cortes, and Luis Severino have been the team's top three starters all season, but Montgomery and Taillon were also solid contributors before getting hurt.Domingo German, Clarke Schmidt, and JP Sears have also been effective as fill-ins, so Boone has a number of options to consider when setting his rotation.

Who Sits, Who Moves?

The most likely scenario is that Montgomery and Taillon will replace German and Schmidt in the rotation, but it's also possible that one of them could be used out of the bullpen. German has been shaky in his last few starts, while Schmidt has been more effective. Boone could also opt to keep a six-man rotation for the time being, which would allow him to keep all of his starters fresh and healthy.

Bullpen Impact

If Montgomery and Taillon do rejoin the rotation, it will have a significant impact on the Yankees bullpen. Chad Green, Miguel Castro, and Lucas Luetge have all been excellent this season, but they could see their innings decrease if Montgomery and Taillon are back in the fold. The Yankees could also opt to trade one or two of their relievers to acquire a bat.

Tough Decision for Boone

Boone has a tough decision to make with Montgomery and Taillon set to return. He has a number of talented starters to choose from, and he needs to find the right combination to give the Yankees the best chance to win. The Yankees are currently 34-26 and in first place in the AL East, but they need to be at full strength to compete for a World Series title.

Additional Notes

• Montgomery has a 3.69 ERA in 10 starts this season.
• Taillon has a 4.05 ERA in 10 starts this season.
• The Yankees have a 3.89 ERA as a team, which is fifth in the AL.