As if losing Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton for additional time wasn’t enough, the New York Yankees are continuing to drop like flies amidst an impressive winning streak.
Third baseman Gio Urshela, who is filling in for the injured Miguel Andujar – rehabbing from a partial labrum tear, exited Sunday’s game early with an apparent injury.
Urshela was hit by a fastball on his left hand but luckily x-rays came back negative. Even if he’s lost for a couple of games, there’s no question the Yanks should keep him on the 25-man roster as he’s an improved hitter and elite defender.
Gio managed to walk to first base but was grimacing in pain and couldn’t stay to walk the bases. He was immediately pulled. The 27-year-old third baseman has been a fantastic defensive addition for the Yankees so far, recording 7 double plays – Andujar turned just 6 in all of 2018. Offensively, he’s improved dramatically – with a pair of hits today, he brought his season batting line to .351/.415/.509 (147 wRC+) over 65 plate appearances.
Scary moment for Gio Urshela, who just got hit on his left hand by an 88.5 mph cutter. Urshela is leaving the game. He's being replaced by pinch runner Cameron Maybin. Now the Yankees are losing infielders to injuries.
— Coley Harvey (@ColeyHarvey) April 28, 2019
Andujar is still a few days away from returning, which makes losing Urshela that much more significant. In addition, one of the Yankees more consistent players, DJ LeMahieu, also left with an ailment.
The utility man had inflammation in his right knee, but x-rays came back negative, thankfully. Losing him might have been the final straw before the Bombers lost all sense of hope.
Updates on…
DJ LeMahieu: Right knee inflammation, X-rays were negative.
Gio Urshela: Going for X-rays now.
— Bryan Hoch ?? (@BryanHoch) April 28, 2019
The Yanks currently have 13 players on the injured list – most of the starting team. The bullpen is rattled with injuries and the infield/outfield is down to minor league players filling in regularly. Losing two influential starters would certainly push them to the limit.