Yankees see double-edged sword of potential MLB realignment

TAMPA — As they try to scrap their way back to the top of the AL East, the Yankees have enough to worry about these days.

But with MLB commissioner Rob Manfred mentioning the potential for expansion and realignment on Sunday, there is the intriguing thought of the Yankees playing in a new division alongside the likes of the Red Sox, Mets and Phillies.

“It’d be a heavyweight division,” manager Aaron Boone said with a chuckle on Tuesday. “I don’t know. That feels far away.”

Though the competition within such a division would be turned up a notch, it could also mean a lighter travel schedule and less wear and tear on players, which they would certainly take.

“If we can do something that helps with less travel, I’d definitely be in favor of that,” Luke Weaver said.

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Just as he was nearing a return from the injured list for back tightness, yet another injury concern has popped up for Jonathan Loáisiga.

The reliever reported feeling soreness in his elbow/triceps area on Tuesday morning, Boone said, so he was headed for an MRI exam to find out what was wrong.

Loáisiga’s talent has too often been overshadowed by injuries that have sidelined him for much of his Yankees tenure, including beginning this season on the IL as he came back from elbow surgery.

“It’s been an up and down season in that regard for him as he’s returned,” Boone said.

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Brent Headrick landed on the 15-day IL shortly before Tuesday’s game with a left forearm contusion that stemmed from being hit by a comebacker last week.

CT scans and X-rays came back negative, but the lefty reliever was “still not quite right,” Boone said.

Headrick played catch around four hours before first pitch, which evidently led to the realization that an IL stint was necessary.

But it happened too late for the Yankees to fly in a fresh arm, meaning they played Tuesday’s game a pitcher short in the bullpen.

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Fernando Cruz (oblique strain) made his third rehab appearance Tuesday with Double-A Somerset.

“He would start to be in play now any time,” Boone said. “I don’t know if we’re going to have him do another or take him in a couple days. We’ll see.”

Ryan Yarbrough (oblique strain) was scheduled to make his second start with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, but the game got rained out, so he will now pitch Wednesday.

The Yankees have left it open for what role Yarbrough will return in. The swingman was starting before landing on the IL in June, but the Yankees now have five healthy starters, so they are biding their time while building him back up to give themselves options.

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The Yankees activated Amed Rosario off the injured list Tuesday after he missed the minimum 10 days with an SC joint sprain.