NJ.com | Randy Miller ($): Randy talks the thorax with Dr. Spencer Stein of NYU Langone, who discusses how Aaron Judge’s lingering rib injury could influence how the reigning MVP plays when he returns. Stein’s personal opinion is that the Yankee captain will still be vulnerable, and that he should not be allowed to dive when he gets time in the outfield. Giancarlo Stanton’s return will likely plug up the DH slot to a certain extent, meaning Judge will have to play the field, but keeping his bat in the lineup is of paramount importance and that will likely mean a shift in what he’s allowed to do out in right.
New York Daily News | Gary Phillips: Speaking of, the last thing the Yankees can afford right now is another injury. After jamming his hand into the bag in an ill-advised attempt to stretch a single into a double, Ryan McMahon was able to play through the ache until being removed in the eighth inning. Initial x-rays were negative and Mac was confident that nothing of import was wrong, even as José Caballero got the start at third in last night’s finale with the Orioles.
FanGraphs | Jay Jaffe: “Competitive balance” will be the order of the day for MLB this winter, as the league will look to institute a salary cap in CBA negotiations, citing the need to restore that so-called balance with the smaller-market teams in the sport. Well, the AL Wild Card race is a pretty balanced one right now, with a whole bunch of mediocrity fighting it out for the chance to be a road team in a best-of-three series come October. It’s very competitive right now, so I hope this is what ownership wants.
New York Post | Mark Suleymanov: Happy trails to former Yankee Jon Berti, who announced his retirement from professional baseball after eight years in the bigs. Berti had a strong WBC with Team Italy, but it wasn’t enough to interest any MLB franchises, and it’s time for the next phase of his life. Best of luck Jon, we’ll always have the memory of you starting at first base in the playoffs.
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