New York Yankees catcher Jose Trevino will miss the remainder of the season with a right wrist tear, the team announced Friday. This injury will have significant implications for the Yankees as they navigate the rest of the season and potentially look to acquire a replacement catcher before the trade deadline.
Trevino’s injury is a torn triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) ligament, which will require surgery. The 30-year-old had been dealing with the wrist injury since spring training but recently reached a point where the pain became unmanageable. He expressed frustration with how the injury has impacted his performance this season.
In his absence, the Yankees will turn to Ben Rortvedt as Kyle Higashioka’s backup. Rortvedt, 25, has played well at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, hitting .286 with six home runs, 22 RBIs, and a .900 OPS in 29 games. While he is known for his defensive abilities, the Yankees may still explore external options to strengthen their catching depth.
One potential trade target for the Yankees is Yan Gomes of the Chicago Cubs. Gomes has been hitting .270 with eight home runs and a .744 OPS in 200 at-bats this season. However, he is not considered a strong defensive catcher. The Pittsburgh Pirates could also look to unload Austin Hedges, who is known for his defense but lacks offensive production. Another option could be Yasmani Grandal of the Chicago White Sox, who offers power but may come at a higher cost.
The Yankees’ general manager, Brian Cashman, will likely be active in exploring potential trades before the August 1 deadline to ensure they have a capable replacement for Trevino. Acquiring a starting-caliber backstop would provide stability behind the plate and support their pitching staff.
It’s worth noting the impact of Trevino’s absence on ace pitcher Gerrit Cole. Cole has had better numbers with Trevino as his catcher, including a 2.57 ERA, 29 home runs allowed, and 311 strikeouts in 258 innings pitched. With Higashioka as his catcher, Cole’s numbers have been slightly worse, with a 3.67 ERA, 40 home runs allowed, and 329 strikeouts in 255 innings pitched. The Yankees will need to find a way to maintain Cole’s effectiveness without Trevino’s presence.
This season, Trevino played in 55 games and started 49 as the Yankees’ catcher. He hit .210 with 15 RBIs and also had one game as the designated hitter. Trevino joined the Yankees in April 2022 after being traded from the Texas Rangers. In his first season with the team, he had an impressive performance, winning a Gold Glove, the American League Platinum Glove, and earning an All-Star nod.
As the Yankees move forward without Trevino, they will rely on Rortvedt to fill the backup catcher role. However, it remains to be seen if he can provide the same level of production and defensive prowess as Trevino. The team will also explore potential trades to bolster their catching depth and provide support for their pitching staff.
In conclusion, Jose Trevino’s season-ending wrist injury is a significant blow to the New York Yankees. The team will need to find a suitable replacement and potentially make a trade before the deadline to ensure they have a capable catcher for the remainder of the season. The impact of Trevino’s absence on Gerrit Cole’s performance will also be closely monitored. The Yankees will need to adapt and find ways to maintain their competitiveness without their starting catcher.