Marwin Gonzalez officially on Yankees’ Opening Day roster after strong spring
Marwin Gonzalez is officially on the Yankees’ Opening Day roster.
The Yankees announced the move on Thursday, putting the utility player on the 40-man roster after he looked good throughout the spring.
Gonzalez struggled the previous two seasons, but was solid at the plate after signing a minor league deal with the Yankees last month and the team likes his defensive versatility and ability to switch-hit.
That was one major decision the Yankees had to make.
The other was the Opening Day lineup for Friday against the Red Sox. On Thursday, Aaron Boone said he’d settled on a lineup, but wouldn’t reveal it.
With the way the team is constructed — 16 pitchers and 12 position players — a key player figures to be on the bench every game, with DJ LeMahieu and Gleyber Torres vying for time in the infield and Gonzalez providing an added option in the outfield, along with Aaron Judge, Aaron Hicks, Joey Gallo and Giancarlo Stanton.
Boone said they went with the added pitcher because of needing “coverage” after the shortened spring training.
Having Gonzalez played a role in the decision.
“It was definitely a part of it,’’ Boone said. “Having Marwin and his experience and ability to go and play a lot of positions definitely mattered.”
To make room for Gonzalez on the 40-man roster, minor league outfielder Jeisson Rosario was designated for assignment after signing with the Yankees last week following his release from the Red Sox. Rosario played at Double-A last season.
Additionally, catcher Ben Rortvedt, acquired along with Josh Donaldson and Isiah Kiner-Falefa in the trade that sent Gary Sanchez and Gio Urshela to Minnesota, was placed on the 10-day injured list with a strained oblique that sidelined him this spring.
That ensures Jose Trevino will serve as Kyle Higashioka’s backup behind the plate. Trevino was acquired from the Rangers last week in exchange for right-hander Albert Abreu.
This will be the Yankees’ first Opening Day without Brett Gardner since 2008, a fact Boone said he had on his mind as he drove to the Stadium on Thursday.
“I was thinking of him on my way in and I miss him because I love [Gardner] and all he meant to our organization,’’ Boone said.
The Yankees, though, never brought back Gardner and instead went with outfielders Tim Locastro and Ender Inciarte in spring training before neither ended up making the team.
“[Gardner] has been an amazing Yankee, an amazing player, tough and consistent,’’ Boone said. “He was one of the leaders of this team. That being said, we’ve been in a position, whenever, with CC [Sabathia] leaving or [Gardner] not being here, we always feel we’re in position to carry on and carry on strong.”
Jameson Taillon stayed in Tampa and threw on Wednesday. He’s in line to pitch on Monday, with Luis Severino and Jordan Montgomery set to follow Gerrit Cole against the Red Sox, and Nestor Cortes starting on Tuesday versus the Blue Jays.
Miguel Castro, acquired in a trade with the Mets for Joely Rodriguez, played catch in the outfield at the Stadium on Thursday wearing his glove with Mets blue and orange. … Rachel Balkovec will manage her first game with Low-A Tampa on Friday in Lakeland, Fla., against the Tigers’ Low-A team, becoming the first female to manage in affiliated baseball. “She earned her way there,’’’ Boone said. “She’s ready for it.”