Gary Sanchez is the latest New York Yankees player to be placed on the injured list. In a move that was made retroactive to Thursday, Sanchez has a left calf strain, and his time table for returning is not yet known.
Prior to tonight’s game, the Yankees placed C Gary Sánchez on the 10-day IL (retroactive to 4/11) with a left calf strain and recalled C Kyle Higashioka (#66) from @swbrailriders.
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) April 12, 2019
Gary Sanchez Heads to IL
Yankees Injury Parade Continues
Sanchez, who battled through groin injuries last season, is the 12th Yankees player to be placed on the injured list this season. Remarkably, there is still half of the first month left. The Yankees can almost fill out a full starting lineup including a bullpen of household names who are currently on the injured list.
It’s April 12. Here’s your updated Yankees IL tally:
–Jacoby Ellsbury
–Jordan Montgomery
–Didi Gregorius
–Luis Severino
–Ben Heller
–Dellin Betances
–Aaron Hicks
–Giancarlo Stanton
–Miguel Andujar
–Troy Tulowitzki
–Gary Sánchez(but, hey, CC Sabathia is coming back)
— Coley Harvey (@ColeyHarvey) April 12, 2019
Replacing Sanchez’s Production
Known for his offense, Sanchez has started fast this year with six home runs and 11 RBI. Last year’s injuries severely diminished his offensive production and shifted focus to Sanchez’s highly questionable defense, leading the league in Passed Balls with 18. Defense aside, this is the one position where the Yankees just cannot plug a hole with their deep bench and minor league system. Austin Romine is a capable backup catcher. However, once he plays every day, his warts begin to show.
Yankees Bad Start
Injuries have been the biggest contributor to the Yankees slow start at 5-7. Earlier in the season, the competition was light against teams like the Baltimore Orioles and Detroit Tigers. The Yankees were able to go 5-4 against the bad teams, but when competition picked up against the Houston Astros, they lost three straight.
Season Outlook
Fortunately for the Yankees, the defending world champion Boston Red Sox have struggled out of the gate with a 4-9 record. Perhaps if Boston had the kind of start they had in 2018 this would cause panic in the Bronx. It is worth noting that Boston’s bad start is not due to injuries but bad overall team play. Expecting the Red Sox to play this bad all year long is wishful thinking. At some point, expect the Red Sox to get on the right track. Will the Yankees be healthy enough to weather the storm?
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