The offseason departure of Gleyber Torres left a void atop the Yankees’ lineup. Boone has said he’s considered six or seven players as candidates to bat first, including the lefty-swinging Austin Wells, who on Thursday became the first catcher in MLB history to hit a leadoff home run on Opening Day.

Yankees' Aaron Judge said of Paul Goldschmidt: "He's a guy that has a plan going into every at-bat; he's prepared for every single at-bat."

That’s why alarms went off for Yankees fans when Goldschmidt was subbed out of Monday’s 6-5 walk-off loss to the Blue Jays in the bottom of the third. Goldschmidt revealed that he exited the game with a sore back.

Goldschmidt is batting leadoff. The Yankees put Goldschmidt there against Brewers lefty Nestor Cortes to gain a platoon advantage in front of 2-hitter Aaron Judge. Ya

Paul Goldschmidt said his back feels “100 percent, or very, very close to it,” one day after participating in live batting practice drills at George M. Steinbrenner Field, and the veteran first baseman continues to believe he will be ready for Opening Day.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone echoed the sentiment, saying the plan was already for Goldschmidt to have Tuesday off and that he expects him back in the lineup on Wednesday. Asked about his concern, Goldschmidt didn't hesitate to say, "Zero."

Injuries have piled up for the New York Yankees this spring. The starting rotation has been decimated while Giancaro Stanton and DJ LeMahieu have been sidelined as well. Then, on Monday, Paul Goldschmidt was forced from a spring training game with a back injury.

Paul Goldschmidt has done many things in his 14-year MLB career. He's won an MVP Award. He's taken home four Gold Gloves. He's stolen 32 bases in a season, and had seven seasons with more than 30 home runs.

Goldschmidt left the game after the third inning, which caused concern. However, Goldschmidt reassured everyone after his exit that he left the game early for precautionary reasons. He "didn't want to push it," so he didn't finish the game, MLB's Bryan Hoch reported.