Daily Report – 9/8/25
Here is today’s report:
Yankees
The Yankees took care of business against Toronto this weekend, winning two of three games to reduce their deficit in the standings to 2.0 games behind the Blue Jays for the division lead.
But this was more than just a series win. Winning this series was a statement for the Yankees, who proved to Toronto that they could rob them of first place. After significant series wins in Chicago and Houston, the Yankees kept momentum on their side this weekend.
After going down quietly against Kevin Gausman on Friday and losing 7-1, Luis Gil was excellent on Saturday as the Yankees won 3-1. Fernando Cruz came up clutch in a key situation, and David Bednar secured a four-out save. Then, yesterday, the Yankees won 4-3, and their 80 wins rank third in the American League.
The Bombers got things started early yesterday, scoring three runs in the first inning. Aaron Judge walked, and Cody Bellinger singled to put runners at first and second base for Ben Rice. Against the veteran pitcher Max Scherzer, Rice fouled off fastball after fastball before launching the 10th pitch he saw to right-center field for a three-run home run.
“It’s just being particular with what I’m looking for, and then once you get to two strikes, just battling,” said Rice. “I was getting a better feel for his fastball, better feel for his off-speed.”
From their posts on the base pads, Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger managed to detect Scherzer’s pitches and signal them to Rice. The Yankees tend to make it obvious when a pitcher is tipping his pitches, which makes the opposing team uncomfortable and helps the Yankees score more runs.
“I’m sure it’s probably frustrating as a pitcher,” said Bellinger. “I don’t know what they think about it. For us, we have an idea of it pregame. You kind of go out, look for it in the game, and if you see it, you see it.”
It’s perfectly legal for teammates to signal when they detect something from a pitcher. “Every team we play tries to relay signs, whether it’s location or pitch,” said Austin Wells.
Max Fried faltered early on the mound for the Yankees, surrendering two runs in the second inning and another in the third. The Yankees went from leading 3-0 to being tied with Toronto. But Fried was spotless after that, and he finished his outing with 100 pitches across seven innings, allowing six hits, three runs, and one walk.
“It’s a really good team over there, they don’t give up much,” said Fried, who holds a 1.67 ERA in 27 innings pitched since August 22. “You’ve got to really go out there and make sure you’re on top of it. We were able to win two [games] and win the series.”
The Yankees quickly regained the lead in the third inning as Aaron Judge walked and stole second base before Cody Bellinger drove him home with a 100-mph double off the right-center field wall. He moved his hands in on a high fastball and got just enough power on it to reach the wall.
With one out in the fourth inning, Nathan Lukes dribbled a sinker in front of home plate, and Wells called Fried off to make the play, but he made an errant throw to first base, allowing Lukes to advance to second. Fried then struck out Myles Straw, but George Springer sharply lined a sinker to right field. But Aaron Judge, despite recovering from a flexor strain, dove to make an impressive catch. That’s right, Judge returned to right field this weekend, and he may have saved the series for the Yankees with one incredible defensive play.
In the eighth inning, the Yankees brought in Devin Williams to relieve Fried. Coming off an outing in Houston in which he loaded the bases and received his first career ejection, it didn’t feel like Williams was going to be able to hold the Yankees’ one-run lead, especially after Addison Barger singled off him and promptly stole second base. Yet, somehow, Williams sent Vladimir Guerrero Jr. down swinging on his changeup, which gave him the confidence necessary to force Toronto to leave Barger stranded. Williams has struggled immensely this season, so this relief appearance against a tough division opponent was crucial for him.
“He had to go through the heart [of the order],” said Yankees manager Aaron Boone. “He has been unlucky. He’s had some tough games and some tough moments, but he has the ability to get really good hitters out in big spots.”
In the ninth inning, David Bednar came in for his second relief appearance in as many days. With one out, Nathan Lukes singled off him, representing the game-tying run. However, as he tried to steal second base, Austin Wells made a perfect throw to Jazz Chisholm Jr., who swiftly applied the tag for the out. That made it easy for Bednar to secure his 22nd save of the season.
“I call [Bednar] El Oso (the bear),” said Fernando Cruz after Bednar’s four-out save on Saturday. “He’s nasty. He has everything a high-leverage guy needs. We’re blessed to have him.”
When the Yankees struggled in June and July, their bullpen was a major factor. They lost several key pieces, and their remaining arms had trouble filling in during high-leverage situations. This weekend, the Yankees proved to themselves that they can win close games. There will be many of those in October.
The Yankees are off tonight. They get to rest ahead of a three-game series against Detroit.
Yankees Injuries:
9/8: 1B Paul Goldschmidt (left knee bone bruise) is day-to-day after an MRI came back clean on his knee. He sprained it on August 12 and reaggravated the injury this weekend.
9/4: LHP Brent Headrick (left forearm contusion) is expected to return at some point this month. He began a rehab assignment with AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on September 4.
8/28: RHP Jonathan Loáisiga (right flexor strain) was placed on the 15-day IL, and his injury is season-ending.
8/11: RHP Gerrit Cole (right UCL tear, Tommy John surgery) began his throwing program, which continued to yield positive results as he threw from the outfield grass on September 5.
