While Gio Urshela and DJ LeMahieu are the latest to go down in an unnatural bout of injuries for the New York Yankees, there are several starters that are almost able to return to the lineup.
Third baseman, Miguel Andujar, who is coming back from a minor labrum tear, performed as a designated hitter in an extended spring training game, going 3-for-5 at the plate with three singles on Saturday. He will feature defensively in the next spring training game and GM Aaron Boone stated that his youth star could return to the team as soon as next weekend.
Starting shortstop Troy Tulowitzki participated in a simulated game on Saturday and will play in an extended spring training game on Monday. A strained left calf has kept him out of play but he’s also close to returning. He might need a bit more time to get back into his groove than Andujar, primarily due to age, but I would expect him to return in the next two weeks or so.
New York Yankees are close to gaining their center fielder back:
A stiff back has been plaguing center fielder Aaron Hicks for quite some time now. He faced live pitching on Saturday for the first time since March 1. He could feature in an extended spring training game as early as Wednesday. The Yanks have taken a more conservative approach towards Hicks, but have been ramping up his workload in recent weeks.
GM Aaron Boone stated that Hicks “has been good for a while.”
Other than the three impact players, the oft-injured Jacoby Ellsbury remains out and picking up new injuries while rehabbing. A Plantar Fasciitis issue has now magically blossomed into a shoulder injury, putting his timetable for return in question. He will likely not play this season as the Yankees look to collect insurance on his contract.