Yankees’ Jorbit Vivas’ Costly Mistake Highlights Tough Loss Against Braves

ATLANTA – In a challenging showdown, Yankees rookie third baseman Jorbit Vivas faced scrutiny after a critical baserunning error overshadowed the team’s 7-3 defeat against the Braves on Friday night at Truist Park.

A Critical Mistake in the Third Inning

The game took a pivotal turn in the third inning when the Yankees were down 3-0 with two runners on base and only one out. Following a flyout by Cody Bellinger to right field, Vivas attempted to tag up from second base to third. However, misjudgment led to a disastrous double play that eliminated the Yankees’ scoring opportunity, leaving slugger Aaron Judge waiting in the on-deck circle.

• Vivas slowed down as he approached third base, mistakenly believing Ronald Acuña Jr.’s throw wouldn’t reach the base in time.
• Nacho Alvarez, the Braves’ third baseman, cleverly feigned ignorance, only to make the tag just seconds before Vivas could reach the base.

Vivas reflected on the moment, stating, “He’s standing there, and it looked like he wasn’t receiving the ball at all. But that’s not on him; it’s on me to make it to that base.”

A Lesson Learned

Yankees’ third-base coach Luis Rojas was seen sprinting toward Vivas, signaling him to slide, but it was too late. Vivas admitted, “I picked him up kind of late. The third baseman was standing there a little bit in the way. But it’s my fault.”

Manager Aaron Boone, who has experience as a former third baseman, emphasized the importance of awareness in these situations, stating, “You can never let that happen again.” He praised Vivas for his effort but acknowledged the dire consequences of his error.

Injury Updates

In addition to on-field challenges, the Yankees are managing player injuries as they head into the next series against the Blue Jays. Key updates include:

• Mark Leiter Jr. is showing signs of recovery from a left fibular head stress reaction and might return for a light bullpen session soon.
• Fernando Cruz is expected to start a throwing program this weekend, having made strides in recovering from a high-grade oblique strain.
• Luis Gil, recovering from a lat strain, made progress during a rehab start, throwing 57 pitches at Double-A Somerset.

Roster Changes

The Yankees are also set to promote Allan Winans Saturday, taking the place of Rico Garcia, who was recently designated for assignment after a lackluster performance.

Conclusion

Despite the setback in their matchup against the Braves, the Yankees are looking to regroup and focus on upcoming games. As they navigate player injuries and roster adjustments, every play, like Vivas’ costly mistake, will be critical in their pursuit of success this season.

For more on player updates, injuries, and statistics, explore helpful resources like ESPN and MLB.com.