Since the projected starting outfield was expected to miss what was supposed to be Opening Day on Thursday, the Yankees would have begun the year with Brett Gardner in center filling in for Hicks. Who was going to flank him in left and right field was still undecided.
It appears that Stanton and Judge could very well be ready for the beginning of the season now, should there be one at all. Stanton is reportedly healthy enough to play in rehab games right now while Judge’s fractured rib continues to heal. This year with MLB increasing the rosters from 25 to 26 players, it’s conceivable that two more outfielders could begin the season on the roster.