The New York Yankees had been dealing with injuries every season. But last year was the height of their issues with injuries. Key players, from the veteran to the youth, were on the Injured List. The list had names like Anthony Rizzo and Jasson Dominguez. However, the name on the IL that really hurt the Bronx Bombers last year was Aaron Judge. The 2022 AL MVP started the last season on a positive note. He even hit 37 home runs to follow up with his record-breaking 2022 season. In 2022, the Yankees captain hit 62 home runs to break the American League regular season record. As a result, Aaron Judge won the AL MVP that year. Fans expected the same from him in 2023.
However, a freak accident at the Los Angeles Dodgers fence ended the hopes of the Yankees Faithful and Judge last year. The fans and the team really missed the superstar outfielder. Eventually, when Aaron Judge returned to the lineup, it was already too late to turn things around to make the postseason. Since then, the Yankees have made several changes to their roster. They bolstered their offense by landing Juan Soto, Alex Verdugo, and Trent Grisham. Lately, the Yankees were playing a historic series in Mexico. Oscar Gonzales, the NY side’s outfielder, suffered a right orbital fracture.
Yankees Outfielder Gonzales Suffered A Right Orbital Fracture In Mexico
The NY Yankees announced that the outfielder sustained a right orbital fracture on Monday night. During an exhibition game against the Diablos Rojos, Oscar Gonzales fouled a ball off his face. Later, the team took him to the hospital. As per ESPN, the Bronx Bombers announced that team physician Dr. Carlos Smith and the head physician, Dr. Elisa Saleme, were treating Gonzales during the game at the ballpark. These physicians assigned for the two-game series were checking for a right eye contusion. After the game, the NY franchise confirmed the diagnosis.
Later, the Yankees added that the veteran outfielder would remain in the hospital overnight. He will undergo tests on Tuesday. Moreover, the NY side also informed that the Double-A trainer Brandon Rodriguez would stay with Oscar Gonzales in Mexico City at Centro Medico ABC. The accident happened when the outfielder got jammed on an inside pitch. Moreover, the ball hit him directly to his face after ricocheting off the handle of his bat. It knocked off his helmet. Later, they drove the outfielder off the field as he was sitting upright in a cart.
Injuries Are Raising Concerns For The Bombers Even Before The Regular Season
Oscar Gonzales was part of the Yankees’ split squad, which was playing a couple of games in Mexico at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helu. On Monday, the Yankees manager mentioned that the 26-year-old outfielder got reassigned to the minor league. In 2023, Gonzales was part of the Cleveland Guardians. He averaged .214, hitting a couple of home runs and 12 RBIs, appearing in 54 games.
It’s not just Gonzales; big league stars for the Yankees, like DJ LeMahieu and Gerrit Cole, are on the Injured List as well. They won’t be playing on the Opening Day. These are not good signs coming right before the regular season. After all, the NY side was looking for redemption this year.
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