Paul Goldschmidt will not be part of the lineup for Monday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays. In his absence, Ben Rice will take over at first base as the Yankees face off against the Blue Jays’ ace, right-hander Max Scherzer.
The Yankees are not exclusively treating Goldschmidt as a platoon player; however, his chances to play against right-handed pitchers have decreased significantly since Giancarlo Stanton returned from the injured list on June 16. Since that date, the Yankees have faced 11 right-handed starters, and Goldschmidt has only been in the lineup for six of those games.
Both Goldschmidt and Stanton have underwhelming weighted on-base averages (wOBA), with Goldschmidt at .273 and Stanton at .299. As the team looks to maximize performance, Rice and rookie Jasson Dominguez, who have wOBA figures of .379 and .345 respectively, are becoming increasingly appealing options against righties. This shift could put Goldschmidt’s and Stanton’s roles in jeopardy as the Yankees explore more consistent playing time for their more effective hitters.
This situation highlights the competitive nature of the Yankees’ lineup and the pressure on veterans to perform. With younger players stepping up, there’s a potential for an exciting shift in team dynamics, as they continue their pursuit of success this season. The strategic decisions made in the upcoming games could prove critical for the team as they navigate their roster options.