AL East

The New York Yankees have not had a captain since Derek Jeter in 2014, but if Aaron Judge re-signs, he could take over as captain in the Bronx.

Yankees pitcher Nestor Cortes said Saturday that if Judge returns in 2023, he should undoubtedly serve as the team's captain, per MLB.com's Bryan Hoch.

"Most of the guys in there agree with me," Cortes said.

Nestor Cortes thinks Aaron Judge will be the Yankees' next captain if he comes back next year:

"We follow everything he does. He leads by example... he's a great baseball player but he's a better human." pic.twitter.com/9OfFbLR6BB

— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) October 22, 2022

There have been 11 captains in Yankees history—Jeter (2003-2014), Clark Griffith (1903-1905), Kid Elberfeld (1906-1907), Willie Keeler (1908-1909), Hal Chase (1910-1912), Frank Chance (1913), Roger Peckinpaugh (1914-1921), Babe Ruth (1922), Everett Scott (1922-1925), Lou Gehrig (1935-1939), Thurman Munson (1976-1979), Graig Nettles (1982-1984), Willie Randolph (1986-1988), Ron Guidry (1986-1988) and Don Mattingly (1991-1995).

Judge, who will become an unrestricted free agent this winter, was asked about possibly becoming captain during an appearance on R2C2 with CC Sabathia and Ryan Ruocco in February.

“It would be an incredible honor,” Judge said (h/t Gary Phillips of Sports Illustrated). “I can’t even fathom that to be honest.”

Judge added:

“It would be an incredible honor, but nothing honestly would ever change. I’d still try to hold myself the same way, try to hold myself to the highest standard and be accountable and be there for my teammates. If there is a captain named or no captain named, I’m still going to go out there and just be Aaron Judge and try to be the best leader and teammate I can be every day.”

After an impeccable 2022 campaign that saw him become the American League's all-time single-season home run leader with 62, breaking former Yankee Roger Maris' record of 61, Judge is in line to receive a significant pay raise this winter.

He declined a seven-year, $213.5 million extension offer from the Pinstripes earlier this year. Yankees president Randy Levine said last month that the team would make him a competitive offer once the season is over.

"We know his worth and what he means," Levine said on The Show podcast (h/t ESPN). "I don't know what's in his mind. All we can do is show him how much we'd like him to remain a Yankee."

Judge has spent his entire seven-year career with the Yankees and is coming off a 2022 season that saw him slash .311/.425/.686 and knock in 131 RBI in 157 games.

Considering the 30-year-old has been a leader both on and off the field, it would be no surprise to see him named the next captain of one of Major League Baseball's most historic franchises.

After taking over as interim manager midway through the 2022 season, John Schneider has been named full-time skipper for the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Blue Jays announced on Friday that Schneider has agreed to terms on a three-year deal with a team option for 2026.

In a press release from the club, Schneider issued a statement expressing his excitement to continue as Toronto's manager:

"This organization has made me feel at home since day one. So many people have had a hand in helping me get here, and becoming Manager of the Blue Jays is not something I take lightly. My family and I love Toronto and I can’t wait to build upon an already great group of players and bring a World Series back to all our fans across Canada."

Schneider has spent his entire career in the Blue Jays organization. The former catcher was drafted by the club in the 13th round in 2002 and played six seasons in the minors before retiring after the 2007 season because of injuries.

Following his retirement, the Blue Jays kept Schneider as a coach. He managed their rookie-level Gulf Coast League team in 2008 and continued to move up through the minors. The New Jersey native had managerial stints with the Vancouver Canadians, Lansing Lugnuts, Dunedin Blue Jays and New Hampshire Fisher Cats.

When the Blue Jays hired Charlie Montoyo to manage the MLB club in November 2018, Schneider was added to his staff. He was promoted to bench coach prior to the 2022 season.

After Montoyo was fired July 13, the Blue Jays named Schneider their interim manager for the rest of the season. The 42-year-old led the club to a 46-28 record and the No. 1 wild card in the American League.

Toronto was swept in the AL Wild Card Series by the Seattle Mariners. This was the second postseason appearance for the Blue Jays in the past three seasons. They have won at least 91 games in each of the previous two seasons.

The New York Yankees will face the Houston Astros in the American League Championship Series for the third time since 2017.

Houston beat the Yanks in both 2017 and 2019, but Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton doesn't have revenge on his mind as New York gets ready for the next round.

"Revenge is whatever for me. It's what's right now. They're in the way of where we need to go, so we've got to take care of it"

- Giancarlo Stanton on the upcoming ALCS against the Astros pic.twitter.com/jraj88nNXY

— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) October 18, 2022

Stanton wasn't on the team in 2017, when the Yankees lost to the Astros in seven games. But he was on the roster in 2019, when New York fell to Houston in six.

The Yankees are moving on by virtue of their 5-1 win over the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday, which cemented a best-of-five AL Division Series victory.

Stanton led the Yankees to their 5-1 win by virtue of a three-run home run in the first inning to give New York a 3-0 lead. The Yankees never looked back from there thanks to some timely pitching and insurance runs via an Aaron Judge solo blast and an Anthony Rizzo RBI single.

Now the Yankees move on to play the Astros, who won an AL-high 106 games this year. They'll be the clear favorites against a tired Yankees squad which won't have a rest day before the ALCS.

Houston, which has home-field advantage, also hasn't played since Saturday. The Astros will get to reset their rotation and start staff ace Justin Verlander in Game 1.

The series will start Wednesday at 7:37 p.m. ET from Houston's Minute Maid Park.

The New York Yankees survived a stiff test from the Cleveland Guardians to advance to the American League Championship Series for the first time since 2019.

Thanks to the big bats of Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, the Yankees earned a 5-1 victory in Game 5 over the Guardians on Tuesday at Yankee Stadium.

Stanton got the scoring started in the first inning with a three-run homer off Aaron Civale. Judge joined the fun with a solo shot in the bottom of the second inning off Sam Hentges.

Been doing it all year. #ALLRISE pic.twitter.com/hxiEW3jjae

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) October 18, 2022

This marked the fourth different time Judge and Stanton have homered in the same game in the playoffs.

Today is the 4th time that Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton have homered in the same postseason game, the most instances by a pair of teammates in @Yankees history. pic.twitter.com/FtmwUqG9kR

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 18, 2022

The #Yankees are 27-2 when Aaron Judge & Giancarlo Stanton homer in the same game.

— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) October 18, 2022

https://twitter.com/MarlyRiveraESPN/status/1582486288963231744

Aaron Judge & Giancarlo Stanton have homered in the same postseason game 4 times, tied for 2nd-most times homering as teammates in same postseason game all-time, behind only:

Carlos Correa/George Springer: 8

h/t @EliasSports

tied with: ⬇️

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) October 18, 2022

Per MLB.com's Sarah Langs, the only losses for the Yankees when Judge and Stanton homer in the same game were the Field of Dreams game against the Chicago White Sox in 2021 and when Judge hit his 62nd homer of the regular season on Oct. 4.

Judge, who could be playing his final games in the Bronx with free agency looming, has developed a flare for the dramatic in his postseason career.

The presumptive favorite to win the AL MVP became MLB's all-time leader in homers in winner-take-all playoff games on Tuesday.

Aaron Judge has hit four home runs in winner-take-all postseason games.

That's the most in MLB history.

— Max Goodman (@MaxTGoodman) October 18, 2022

updating this AGAIN...

most career HR in winner-take-all postseason games:

Aaron Judge: 4
Giancarlo Stanton: 3
Yogi Berra: 3
Didi Gregorius: 3
Troy O’Leary: 3
Moose Skowron: 3

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) October 18, 2022

The Yankees are 3-1 in those games when Judge homers. This is their first such victory in a playoff series. Their two previous wins came in the one-game wild card in 2017 and 2018. He also hit one in New York's 2-1 loss in Game 5 of the 2020 ALDS against the Tampa Bay Rays.

With the Bronx Bombers now four wins away from their first World Series appearance since 2009, here's the reaction to Judge's homer and the Yankees celebrating.

Aaron Judge kissing the Yankees logo after his HR ❤️ @MLBpic.twitter.com/vsYe8CsX9r

— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) October 18, 2022

AARON JUDGE KISSED THE LOGOOO HE’S HERE TO STAYYYYYYYY

— Chasidy 🇩🇴🇵🇷 (@chass_dee_) October 18, 2022

Yankees Most Career Postseason HR:

Bernie Williams 22
Derek Jeter 20
Mickey Mantle 18
Babe Ruth 15
Aaron Judge 13

— Katie Sharp (@ktsharp) October 18, 2022

When Aaron Judge kissed the logo pic.twitter.com/LDCuUeuOI9

— Marin (@mmarin_805) October 18, 2022

https://twitter.com/KimmeyHead/status/1582476507523358720

AARON JUDGE IS ALL THE WAY BACK

— JL (@JLas43_) October 18, 2022

Because of Game 5 having to be rescheduled from Monday to Tuesday because of rain in New York, Judge and the Yankees don't have much time to enjoy this victory.

The Yankees and Houston Astros will play Game 1 of the ALCS on Wednesday at Minute Maid Park. Manager Aaron Boone has already said Jameson Taillon, who would have started if there were a game Monday, will take the ball for New York.

Houston will counter with AL Cy Young favorite Justin Verlander. This will mark the third time in the past six seasons the Yankees and Astros have played for the AL pennant. Houston won the previous two meetings in 2017 and 2019.

Aaron Boone's puzzling decision to not deploy Clay Holmes in the New York Yankees' 6-5 loss to the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday night at Progressive Field has everyone scratching their heads.

Luis Severino, who started Game 3 of Saturday's American League Division Series, told reporters he was shocked Boone didn't turn to Holmes to close the bottom of the ninth inning.

"He's our closer. So of course I was surprised. I don't know if he was down. There shouldn't be people down in the playoffs," Severino said. "That's something you guys need to ask Boone or [pitching coach Matt] Blake to see what was going on there."

The Yankees blew a 5-3 lead in the bottom of the ninth inning after the Guardians managed to drive in three runs off a combination of relievers Wandy Peralta and Clarke Schmidt.

Boone told reporters after the game that Holmes was available out of the bullpen only in an "emergency" situation. SNY's Andy Martino asked Boone what constituted an emergency, and he responded, "extra innings and all other pitchers used."

The 49-year-old added that he did not want to use Holmes on back-to-back nights and that he would be available for Sunday's Game 4.

Holmes, who was shut down for the final nine games of the regular season with a shoulder strain, told reporters after the loss that he was ready to enter the game.

"I prepared today to do my job. Sometimes those decisions aren't mine. I feel like I'm available to pitch," Holmes said. "Whenever my name is called, I'm ready to go out there and give it everything I've got.

"They asked, and I said I was good to go if needed."

Holmes, 29, had an impressive regular season en route to an All-Star selection. In 62 appearances, he posted a 2.54 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 65 strikeouts across 63.2 innings. He also posted 20 saves after taking over the role from a struggling Aroldis Chapman.

The Yankees now face a win-or-go-home Game 4 on Sunday. They haven't reached the American League Championship Series since 2019, and a loss to the Guardians would be a tough blow for a team that saw Aaron Judge set the AL home run record and won 99 games during the regular season en route to the AL East crown.

The New York Yankees enter a win-or-go-home Game 4 against the Guardians on Sunday after falling 6-5 to Cleveland on Saturday night in Game 3 of the American League Division Series at Progressive Field.

Entering the ninth inning of Saturday's game, the Yankees held a 5-3 lead and were on pace to snag the victory, but the Guardians went on to score three runs off relievers Wandy Peralta and Clarke Schmidt for the comeback win.

After the loss, fans ripped Yankees manager Aaron Boone for his poor bullpen management after he used a combination of Peralta and Schmidt to close out the game instead of Clay Holmes.

Lou Trivino and Jonathan Loáisiga also saw time in relief of starter Luis Severino. Closer Clay Holmes did not see the mound.

Bullpen mismanagement and reliever injuries have been an issue for months. Now the Yankees season is on the brink because of it. What a mess.

— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) October 16, 2022

The Yankees bullpen... woof. Aaron Boone did not manage that well either way.

— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) October 16, 2022

Aaron Boone completely mismanaged his bullpen tonight again, he brings in Trevino in a high leverage spot and he burns lasagna in a non-high leveraged spot and now he's got Schmidt pitching with the game on the line

— Sean Shilinsky (@SeanShilinsky) October 16, 2022

I have no clue what Aaron Boone was doing with his bullpen. Yanks had a 2-run lead entering the 9th, used two pitchers but didn’t use their closer. Guess he’s saving him for next season, when thankfully Boone won’t be around.

— Will Manso (@WillManso) October 16, 2022

https://twitter.com/PottsChris_/status/1581482797855744001

Leaving Clarke Schmidt in after 3 straight hits is Exhibit Z in the case against Aaron Boone as manager for the New York Yankees. We're way past A at this point. This isn't the franchise I grew up with and it makes me long for the days for Torre.

— Ethan Finkelstein (@IAmFinkelstein) October 16, 2022

Aaron Boone mismanaged his bullpen again for the 100x in history lol.

Called it in the 7th lol

— Zion (@ZionOlojede) October 16, 2022

Aaron Boone. Bad game. Sadness

— David Lang (@Dukielang) October 16, 2022

Aaron Boone went from pushing the right button by keeping Severino in the game to every other decision he made as the game moved along backfired.

— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) October 16, 2022

The Yankees have to move on from Aaron Boone this off-season. He's not the guy.

— kevikev (@KevCoke6) October 16, 2022

After the game, Boone told reporters that Holmes was only available on Saturday in an "emergency." He didn't want to use Holmes on back-to-back nights and expects him to be available for Game 4 on Sunday.

However, Holmes told reporters he was surprised that Boone didn't hand him the ball in the ninth inning and that he woke up ready to pitch if needed.

Clay Holmes says he was surprised he wasn't called upon in the 9th inning:

"I woke up today preparing to pitch if needed." pic.twitter.com/giJFoKS3hW

— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) October 16, 2022

Holmes, who has served as New York's closer for much of the season, had been dealing with a shoulder strain and was shut down for the last nine games of the regular season. With the series on the line, the Yankees will need him available on Sunday.

The Yankees have not made it past the ALDS since 2019.

New York Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu was left off the American League Divisional Series roster as he recovers from a foot fracture, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

Though he's not ruled out for future rounds, Sherman reported it is a "difficult road to play again this year."

LeMahieu had been dealing with a foot/toe issue since Aug. 14, as Yankees manager Aaron Boone explained to reporters. The 34-year-old went on the injured list in September with inflammation of his right second toe, although he returned a few weeks later and played the final week of the regular season.

LeMahieu hasn't been as productive as New York had hoped this season. He batted .261 with a .357 on-base percentage and 12 home runs in 125 games. He also struggled mightily in 2021 with a .268 batting average, his lowest since 2014.

The three-time All-Star's current level of production is a steep drop off from his first two seasons with the Yankees, both of which saw him finish in the top five in American League MVP voting. He won his second career batting title in 2020 after leading the majors with a .364 average. The Yankees rewarded him with a six-year, $90 million deal prior to the 2021 season.

Despite his struggles at the plate, LeMahieu is a vital piece for New York because of his versatility on the infield. The three-time Gold Glove award winner can line up at first base, second base and third base.

The Yankees are vying for their first World Series title since 2009. They won the AL East with a 99-63 record, setting up a divisional series matchup with the Cleveland Guardians after a first-round bye.

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone omitted Aroldis Chapman from his American League Division Series roster.

Boone told reporters the veteran reliever missed a workout and did not have "an acceptable excuse."

https://twitter.com/lindseyadler/status/1579131828568412160

He left the door open for Chapman to get activated for a later postseason series.

General manager Brian Cashman emphasized how this is uncharted territory across his tenure.

Brian Cashman said this is the first time since he’s been with the Yankees that a player did not show up for a mandatory postseason workout.

Congrats to Arolids Chapman for making history!

— Chris Kirschner (@ChrisKirschner) October 9, 2022

Cashman said he was shocked at first about Chapman & then not. “There's some questions about whether he's been all in or not for a little while. He’s maintained verbally, but the actions don't match those words.“

— James Wagner (@ByJamesWagner) October 9, 2022

This adds to what has been the worst year of Chapman's career. He finished with a 4.46 ERA and a FIP (4.57) that was two runs higher than his lifetime average (2.34). Per Brooks Baseball, his four-seam fastball velocity (97.46 mph) was his lowest on record.

In general, the biggest advantage the Cuban star had is gone with so many other relievers regularly hitting the high 90s and triple digits on the radar gun.

Because of his struggles on the mound, Chapman's absence may not have a significant impact on New York in the next round.

Lou Trivino and Scott Effross have provided their expected impact after arriving ahead of the trade deadline, and Clay Holmes is on the verge of returning after battling shoulder trouble.

Clay Holmes said he is scheduled to face hitters tomorrow and felt “free and easy” throwing off the mound. He expects to be on the ALDS roster but is not sure if he will be available for Game 1.

— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) October 9, 2022

Teams can never have too many relief options in the playoffs, but Chapman didn't figure to be somebody Boone would turn to in high-leverage situations in the ALDS. That probably won't change if he rejoins the team.

This could be how Chapman's tenure with the Bronx Bombers ends since he's a free agent in the offseason. Cashman's comments are relatively damning and appear to tip the organization's hand as to how it will approach Chapman's free agency.

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Springer was carted off the field during Saturday's wild-card game against the Seattle Mariners following a collision with Bo Bichette in shallow centerfield.

After the game, a 10-9 loss that eliminated Toronto from the postseason, interim manager John Schneider told reporters that Springer is "doing OK" and that he is going to be evaluated "for a few things."

With the bases loaded and two outs in the top of the eighth inning, Mariners shortstop J.P Crawford hit a popup to centerfield. Both Springer and Bichette tried to catch the ball but ended up colliding as the ball fell to the ground, resulting in Seattle tying the game 9-9 after once trailing 8-1.

Jackie Bradley Jr. replaced Springer in the outfield.

The Mariners tie it after a scary collision between Springer and Bichette. pic.twitter.com/tByWxOcoPA

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 8, 2022

Springer dealt with a number of injuries during the regular season that limited him to 133 games. However, he was fully healthy entering the postseason.

When healthy, Springer played well during the regular season, slashing .267/.342/.472 with 25 home runs, 76 RBI and 14 stolen bases. He even earned the fourth All-Star Game selection of his career.

Raimel Tapia and Whit Merrifield typically see more playing time in center field when Springer is sidelined. However, Tapia replaced Merrifield earlier in Saturday's game after the latter was hit in the head by a pitch.

That said, none of Springer's replacements are as effective.

The Blue Jays finished second in the American League East with a 92-70 record, 7.0 games behind the first-place New York Yankees. They lost the first game of the wild card round 4-0 on Friday and Saturday's game is win or go home.

José Ramírez was the toast of MLB Twitter on Friday after hitting a two-run home run in the Cleveland Guardians' 2-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1 of the teams' Wild Card Series.

To those previously unaware, please meet José Ramírez.#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/EtPBaZ8Bdt

— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) October 7, 2022

The third baseman's sixth-inning blast off Rays ace Shane McClanahan was the difference for the Guardians, who also received 7.2 innings of one-run, eight-strikeout ball from starter Shane Bieber to the delight of the home crowd at Progressive Field.

Here's a look at some social-media reaction to Ramírez's latest standout moment following a regular season in which he ranked 13th among MLB hitters in FanGraphs' WAR (6.2):

It's crazy that despite Jose Ramirez being one of the best players in baseball for the last 7 years he still manages to be criminally underrated

— gabe (@PlayoffTanaka_) October 7, 2022

I love jose ramirez. One of the most underrated talents in the league

— Jarod Antonovich (@JarodAntonovich) October 7, 2022

Every time I go a couple months without watching the Guardians I forget how good Jose Ramirez actually is. Straight electric

— Ethan (@ethanfolden) October 7, 2022

https://twitter.com/KenTremendous/status/1578420633611796489

Jose Ramirez's chain featuring a pic of him wearing a chain will forever be legendary 🔥 pic.twitter.com/PV6fGrglmB

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) October 7, 2022

Jose Ramirez is a great baseball player. Not really good. Genuinely great.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 7, 2022

Shane Bieber is a stud. He and Jose Ramirez don’t get talked about near enough.

— Garrett Knowles (@Gknowles7) October 7, 2022

HIS NAME IS J-RAM AND HE'S A TOP 10 HITTER IN BASEBALL.

— Paramount Sports MLB (@paramountmlb) October 7, 2022

Jose Ramirez is quickly rising up the list of the greatest Cleveland baseball players ever…

— Aaron Goldhammer (@HammerNation19) October 7, 2022

Tom Hamilton with a great (and accurate) statement about Cleveland’s superstar, a moment ago on the radio broadcast: “There’s not a more intelligent player in the game than José Ramírez.” @CleGuardians @MLBNetwork @LasMayores

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) October 7, 2022

https://twitter.com/nlck22/status/1578439338034987008

Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase also played a key role in the series-opening victory, recording the last four outs to secure a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three matchup.

Rays center fielder Jose Siri posted the only run for the visitors with a solo homer in the sixth.

As expected, it was a mostly pitching-dominated game with the two clubs combining for just 11 hits while the pitchers racked up 16 strikeouts.

Game 2 is scheduled for 12:07 p.m. ET on Saturday at Progressive Field. The expected pitching matchup will see Tampa's Tyler Glasnow take on Cleveland's Triston McKenzie.

A Guardians victory would send them into a Division Series clash with the New York Yankees. A Rays win would lead to a decisive Game 3 on Sunday.