If you missed it, Curtis Granderson was a late scratch from yesterday’s game with an oblique strain. There wasn’t a whole lot of information beyond that and when it comes to injuries like that they can tend to be minor or they can linger for a month or more.
Today Yankees manager Joe Girardi met with reporters to discuss the injury and although he didn’t have all the details, he did say that Granderson “felt pretty good” and that there was a “chance to play Opening Day.” It’s really not the best update, but it’s a good way to get into a discussion about who could fill in as the Yankees extra outfielder if Granderson is indeed on the DL to open the season.
The options include Greg Golson, Colin Curtis, and Melky Mesa needs to be mentioned as he is on the 40-man roster. They could also consider infielders with outfield experience like Ramiro Pena, Kevin Russo, and Brandon Laird.
The player with the most realistic chance at making the roster if Granderson is on the DL is Golson, but he’s been sidelined with his own oblique strain which could cause the Yankees to think he’s not ready. That gives Curtis a bigger chance at breaking camp with the team. It also opens up a good shot for Pena to stick on the team. He’s not an outfielder, but he does have some experience out there and he’s been in the majors for the last season and a half and the Yankees may like that experience.
Eduardo Nunez has played a little bit in the outfield recently as well, but not nearly as much as the others and the results have been somewhat mixed.
Update: I’m not sure how I left him out of this, but Justin Maxwell certainly now has a chance to make the roster. I still think it’s Golson’s job to lose, but because of his injury this may be a real battle between him and Golson and Maxwell to be the fourth, or fifth, outfielder with the wildcard being Curtis.