Ryan McMahon’s Defense Likely Adding Flexibility to Yankees’ Roster Construction The New York Yankees appear to be embracing Ryan McMahon’s role as their backup shortstop, a decision that could provide greater flexibility in shaping their roster for the upcoming season. During spring training, McMahon has been given the opportunity to showcase his defensive skills, with manager Aaron Boone expressing confidence in his ability to handle the position. Boone stated, “I think he could handle that,” indicating the team’s willingness to let McMahon serve as a reliable bench option rather than pushing him for a starting role. McMahon’s performance at shortstop during spring training has been a positive sign for the Yankees. While he has not yet been named the primary starter, his consistent play has earned him a spot in the lineup, allowing the team to explore other options for the starting shortstop position. This approach gives the Yankees more room to maneuver in their roster construction, particularly as they evaluate potential trades or free-agent signings. In addition to McMahon, the Yankees have seen promising performances from relievers Jake Bird and Yovanny Cruz. Bird demonstrated resilience during a recent outing, overcoming a controversial strikeout call via the ABS challenge system to record three strikeouts in a scoreless inning. Cruz, meanwhile, has continued to impress with his fastball, averaging 100.3 mph on his sinker, and has shown the ability to dominate batters in relief appearances. Despite a shoulder injury that initially delayed his progress in camp, Cruz remains in the running for a spot on the active roster. The Yankees’ spring training schedule also includes a notable milestone for Gerrit Cole, who will make his spring debut 53 weeks after undergoing Tommy John surgery.#new_york_yankees #ryan_mcmahon #aaron_boone #jake_bird #yovanny_cruz
