Yankees’ considerations over late-night journey to Baltimore have an effect on lineup vs. Twins

MINNEAPOLIS — Concerns about troublesome in a single day journey to Baltimore performed a task within the New York Yankees’ lineup planning for Wednesday evening’s recreation towards the Minnesota Twins, leading to Giancarlo Stanton and Austin Wells being on the bench.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the Yankees didn’t anticipate to succeed in Baltimore till someday round 4 a.m. or 5 a.m. ET on Thursday forward of their 7:05 p.m. first pitch towards the Orioles.

They had deliberate to fly into Dulles International Airport and drive 80 minutes to their workforce resort in Baltimore, avoiding the extra handy Baltimore/Washington International Airport, which had scheduled runway closures.

Major League Baseball cleared the Yankees to fly immediately into Baltimore early Thursday, however Yankees gamers most well-liked to reach within the metropolis as quickly as doable, based on a workforce supply with data of the scenario.

“Absurd” was how one distinguished member of the Yankees described the Twins’ resolution to schedule an evening recreation Wednesday, with the workforce needing to play in Baltimore the next evening. The Yankees additionally didn’t get into Minnesota till nicely previous midnight Monday, after Sunday evening’s loss to the Red Sox in Boston. They ended up dropping 7-0 to the Twins on Monday, wanting flat and torpid.

A BWI spokesperson advised The Athletic the runway closures deliberate for early Thursday morning, which had necessitated the membership’s deliberate flight to Dulles, had been pushed to early Friday morning attributable to concern over the forecasted climate.

Manager Aaron Boone talked about the commute when explaining why Stanton and Wells weren’t enjoying within the collection finale versus the Twins, which the Yankees received 10-5.

Asked whether or not Stanton was wholesome regardless of being out of the lineup, Boone advised reporters: “Yeah, he’s good. I felt like he probably needed this one (off) today. And then, again, with us — another late travel day — going into two lefties with Baltimore, (I) really prefer him (to be) available in those situations.”

Stanton has a profession .947 OPS versus left-handed pitching, and the Orioles are slated to start out southpaws Cade Povich and Trevor Rogers on Thursday and Friday.

Regarding Wells and the choice to start out Ben Rice behind the plate as an alternative, Boone appeared to point he was treating the scenario like a day recreation following an evening recreation.

“With us getting in tomorrow morning probably sometime, it’s like, one’s catching,” Boone mentioned. “So, I felt like this one made the most sense (to sit Wells).”

Wells ended up getting one at-bat in Wednesday’s win.

The Yankees are additionally beginning ace Max Fried on Thursday versus the Orioles. Wells has caught 26 of his 30 begins this season. Rice hasn’t caught any.

Boone mentioned the Yankees wouldn’t use the troublesome journey as an excuse, although he added that he’s had conversations with MLB about groups scheduling evening video games on getaway days for the Yankees.

“It is what it is,” he mentioned. “Everyone has to deal with it in some way, shape or form, but the bottom line is we have to go out there and perform regardless of what a getaway day looks like.”

(Photo of Aaron Boone: Daniel Bartel / Getty Images)