Matt Carpenter is set to be back for the ALDS.
“I fully expect that,’’ Aaron Boone said of Carpenter being on the roster for the ALDS when the Yankees play the Guardians on Tuesday in The Bronx. “He looks great. He’s been getting all his live at-bats.”
He was good enough to homer off Nestor Cortes in live batting practice on Saturday at the Stadium.
“I feel like I’m ready,’’ Carpenter said. “Just the way I feel physically and have been able to get some at-bats here recently and have competitive at-bats.”
He last played on Aug. 8, when Carpenter fouled a ball off his left foot in a game in Seattle.
While he is good to go at the plate, it’s unclear if Carpenter will be able to play the field. He did some work at first base and in the outfield on Sunday.
Matt Carpenter Paul J. BereswillIf Carpenter is unable to play the field, he’ll either be limited to pinch-hitting duties or Giancarlo Stanton will have to play the outfield, which Stanton and Boone said they were open to, despite Stanton’s foot injuries in the second half.
“If that’s something that’s gonna work out and make us the [most] complete team, we’ll definitely have to take a look at it,’’ Stanton said.
Andrew Benintendi, who is out with a fractured hook of the hamate bone in his right wrist, is “a long shot” for the ALDS, according to Boone.
“He is getting close,” Boone said. “He is starting to hit some live [pitching] and is getting better every day.”
Boone said the Yankees had not decided whether to include DJ LeMahieu on the roster as of Sunday, as they wait to see how much LeMahieu is limited by the inflamed right toe that’s plagued him in the second half.
He’s due to get live at-bats on Monday.
Clay Holmes (shoulder) was able to throw off a mound Friday and is scheduled to face hitters Monday, putting him in line to be on the ALDS roster, but perhaps not available for Game 1 on Tuesday.
“We’ll have to see how things respond after [Monday] and go from there,’’ Holmes said of being available Tuesday. “I definitely think it may be somewhat of a possibility. It just all depends on how things bounce back.”
That’s good news for a Yankees bullpen that has dealt with plenty of injuries down the stretch.
General manager Brian Cashman said Sunday he expected Holmes to be the closer if he’s healthy and Holmes said his velocity was back.
“I felt a lot better,’’ Holmes said. “There was nothing nagging in there.”
Jameson Taillon will be available out of the bullpen, at least for Game 1.
“I think [Taillon] could fit in everywhere from getting us meaningful innings in a certain game to a big spot and a high-leverage spot late to closing a game,’’ Boone said. “I really feel like he has the makeup to handle whatever we throw at him.”
The right-hander could also be used to start Game 4, if the series gets that far.
“I’m ready for whatever they throw at me,’’ said Taillon, who has never pitched in relief in the majors.
Domingo German could be used in a similar role out of the pen.







