Yankees open a three-game set in Houston to kick off a pivotal September, with a potential postseason rematch looming. Judge's pursuit of history adds fantasy intrigue as he sits within reach of joining the Yankee elite, while Max Fried faces Framber Valdez in the opener. Alvarez is back for Houston, and Garcia has re-entered the rotation, tightening the Astros’ rotation. New York adds J.C. Escarra and Ryan Yarbrough to the September roster as Judge's DH status remains in flux and Stanton returns to a regular DH role for now.

The Yanks sit in a top wild-card slot, but their schedule through Sept. 14 is grittier, featuring Toronto, Detroit and Boston. With closer uncertainty and a few September callups, savvy fantasy managers will watch Judge’s defensive usage, Alvarez’s health impact, and the bullpen moves as they plan streaming options and daily lineup bets.

The New York Yankees are actively seeking starting pitchers as the trade deadline approaches. With key players like Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt sidelined, the Yankees are exploring options to bolster their rotation, particularly targeting Dylan Cease, who may be available. Despite a challenging season, Cease boasts a solid track record, having finished in the top five of the Cy Young voting twice since 2021. A potential trade involving catcher J.C. Escarra could address both teams' needs; the Padres require an upgrade at catcher, while Escarra's opportunities with the Yankees are limited.

Even with recent struggles, Cease could provide a reliable option behind frontline starters Max Fried and Carlos Rodón. This move would alleviate reliance on less experienced pitchers in pivotal October games. The Yankees' pursuit highlights their commitment to contending this season, balancing the immediate need for starting pitching with the long-term potential of their young players.

The New York Yankees are facing a surplus of hitters, with one or two talented bats often benched during games. This situation might catalyze a trade before the deadline, despite the Yankees being seen as buyers. A potential trade candidate is catcher J.C. Escarra, whose impressive journey from driving an Uber to the big leagues has caught the attention of several teams. Known for his elite pitch framing and defensive skills, Escarra is valuable even as a backup catcher. With Austin Wells and Ben Rice also capable of filling the catcher role, the Yankees may opt to trade Escarra, leveraging his feel-good story and defensive prowess to enhance their roster.

As the Yankees gear up for a pivotal three-game series against the Athletics, manager Aaron Boone is still undecided on his Sunday starter. The options are Marcus Stroman and Allan Winans, both of whom were set to throw side sessions on Friday. Stroman, struggling with a 6.97 ERA in his rehab starts after knee inflammation, faces pressure after his latest outing, where he allowed five earned runs in 3.2 innings. Winans, who debuted in the majors with a 0.90 ERA in Triple-A, allowed four runs over 4.1 innings in his first start but has shown promise.

The Yankees will be without J.C. Escarra due to paternity leave, and Boone indicated they might not make any roster moves, as Escarra is expected back Sunday. Additionally, utility player Braden Shewmake and outfielder Everson Pereira are also unavailable, adding to their challenges as they face left-handed pitcher JP Sears. Boone confirmed that Jonathan Loáisiga is still recovering from an illness, which could further limit the bullpen options.

J.C. Escarra's unlikely journey to the MLB has taken a remarkable turn, transitioning from Uber driver and substitute teacher to a player on the New York Yankees roster. After years of perseverance through independent leagues and winter ball, Escarra finally made his big league debut in March 2025. His impressive performance includes a strong batting average and a stellar ERA for Yankees pitchers who throw to him, solidifying his place in the roster.

Recently, Escarra was placed on the paternity list, marking another significant milestone in his life as he prepares to become a father. This season has been transformative for him, showcasing not just his athletic ability but also his dedication and hard work to realize his dream of playing in the majors.