Yankees decide on Rodón over Schmidt for ALCS Game 1

NEW YORK -- After considering both Carlos Rodón and Clarke Schmidt as their choices against the Guardians for Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Monday, the Yankees settled on the lefty Rodón for the assignment.

Rodón is pitching on extra rest after drawing the nod in Game 2 of the AL Division Series against the Royals on Monday. Schmidt would have been on regular rest after working ALDS Game 3 at Kansas City on Wednesday.

Speaking before the Guardians won Game 5 of their ALDS against the Tigers, manager Aaron Boone said that the opponent “might factor in a little bit,” and that the Yankees would “talk through that as a staff.”

Gerrit Cole is expected to start ALCS Game 2, to be played on Tuesday at Yankee Stadium. Boone said that Luis Gil would go later in the ALCS after not appearing during the ALDS. Gil was scheduled to throw in a simulated game on Sunday.

Boone said he believes Rodón will benefit from the experience of his first postseason start as a Yankee. Rodón struck out the side in an electric first inning but was unable to complete four frames in Monday’s defeat.

“I’m sure there’s a lot of takeaways for him, and hopefully things that he can apply moving forward,” Boone said.

The Yankees carried 11 pitchers and 15 position players in the ALDS, and Boone said that the roster will likely feature 12 or 13 pitchers for the ALCS. That could mean a roster spot for right-hander Marcus Stroman, who was left off the ALDS roster.

Boone added that Alex Verdugo will continue to start in left field during this series, indicating that rookie Jasson Domínguez would be used as a bench player if he is active.

Other considerations include first baseman Anthony Rizzo, who fractured two fingers on his right hand in the penultimate game of the regular season.

Boone said the Yanks would likely make a decision about Rizzo’s status on Monday. Jon Berti and Oswaldo Cabrera drew starts at first base in the four games against Kansas City.

“[Rizzo] hasn’t done a lot physically, like baseball-wise,” Boone said. “He’s been letting that thing heal up as much as possible and doing a lot of treatments.”

DJ LeMahieu has also been working to become available after he was sidelined in September due to a right hip impingement. Boone said LeMahieu is “doing pretty well” and has ramped up activity in hopes of being considered for postseason play.

If at first
There is a well-known scene in the 2011 film "Moneyball" in which Ron Washington, portrayed by Brent Jennings, remarks that playing first base, contrary to popular opinion, is “incredibly hard.” After logging his first professional games at the position in this year’s ALDS, Berti would lean toward agreeing with that sentiment.

“It’s a lot more difficult than I think people realize,” Berti said. “I told [Rizzo] that the other day. There’s just a lot to it, a lot of different positioning, a lot of different things around the bag that you have to be aware of and involved in at all times. So yeah, I think it’s definitely a lot harder than people think.”

Berti said that his crash course at first base has included how to hold runners, positioning, footwork around the bag and knowing where to move when the ball is hit on the ground.

Berti was most proud of the 3-3-6 double play that he started behind Cole in Game 4, stepping on first base to retire Michael Massey before making a strong throw to retire Maikel Garcia at second base -- a play that prompted both benches and bullpens to empty when Garcia took exception to shortstop Anthony Volpe’s tag.

“Just making sure we get the first out, obviously, and then it’s a tough window trying to throw it over to second to get the double play,” Berti said. “Fortunately, I was able to get it by the runner and Volpe made a nice tag on him.”

What a catch
As part of a Yankees bullpen that fired 15 2/3 innings without allowing an earned run during the ALDS, Clay Holmes is impressed by how rookie Austin Wells has guided the pitching staff.

“He’s been incredible back there,” Holmes said. “I think it’s just the feedback he gives; you can tell he’s very in tune of what’s going on in between innings if you’ve got questions, or things you’re seeing that you ask him about. You can just tell he’s very engaged, he’s very aware and kind of knows what he’s looking for. There’s a lot of trust in him.”

Wells started all four games in the ALDS over Jose Trevino, and Boone has indicated that he expects that to continue in the subsequent rounds.

“Seeing how he’s navigated these games so far, it’s been big, especially for the first time in the playoffs and those environments,” Holmes said. “It’s not an easy thing. It’s a lot of stuff to juggle. He makes it look a little easier than what it really is.”