Injuries have played a significant part in derailing the Yankees’ campaign this season. With three months into the season, the team’s injury list is crowded with many potent players serving time on the sidelines. Meanwhile, another outfielder has encountered an injury scare, and the Yanks might mull an IL stint if necessary.
The Yankees acquired journeyman Jake Bauers in the off-season in a minor league deal. He raked Triple-A with a short explosion on the plate. Around the same time, Yanks captain Aaron Judge went down with a hip injury. As a result, Jake received a call-up to join the Bombers’ 40-man major league roster to replace the captain. Since then, he has become a regular starter. However, a setback in the field is set to hamper his season progress.
Jake Bauers Suffers Shoulder Injury While Fielding, Headed For MRI
New York Yankees made Jake Bauers a regular starter after they faced an acute shortage of outfielders. After initially starting on the left, Bauers split his time in the right as well as per the team’s needs. But mind you, Jake is not traditionally an outfielder. He spent most of his career playing as a first baseman. Yet the Yanks chose to extend his tenure as an outfielder. Meanwhile, the journeyman encountered a setback while fielding against the Orioles on Wednesday.
He dropped his shoulder hard on the ground while trying to defend a line drive. After the game, Bauers developed some swelling, which prompted the conditioning team to send him for an MRI scan. He missed Thursday’s game as Oswaldo Cabrera took his place. As per team manager Aaron Boone, they are treating his injury as a day-to-day issue for now. A clearer picture will be received once the MRI results are out. Till then, Bauers will continue to miss games. So far, the team has not decided on the need for an IL stint. But considering the Yanks season trend, a short stint cannot be ruled out.
Did The Yankees Cause Jake Bauers’ injury?
It might be an unpopular opinion, but the truth is that the Yankees indirectly orchestrated Jake Bauers’ recent injury setback. Traditionally, he is a first baseman with occasional part-time stints in the outfield. When the Yankees first placed him in the left field, he banged his knee into the wall while attempting a catch. That should have been the team’s sign for not using Bauers regularly in the field. Yet, the Bombers chose to ignore everything for the sake of ending the team’s outfield woes.
The end result is a potential IL stint-worthy injury. If the Yankees lose Jake Bauers to injury now, they will not only lose an outfielder but also a quality batter who is hitting .224 with seven home runs and 19 RBIs. Regardless, the Yanks will now explore internal options to fill the void, such as calling up players from their minor league system or making adjustments within their current roster. Star utility player Isiah Kiner-Falefa is an ideal candidate for the role.