Apr 28, 2019; San Francisco, CA, USA; New York Yankees third baseman Gio Urshela (29) reacts after getting hit by a pitch during the fifth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
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.
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.
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.
This post was published on 2019-04-29 05:30
