Injuries Piling Up Fast for Yankees
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With the starting rotation down to just two opening day starters, the last thing anyone wanted to deal with was more injuries, but tonight things got worse for the Yankees. Start off with Carlos Beltran, who already looked like he might not be 100% tonight. There were rumors swirling that something might have been bothering him over the last few weeks, he didn't report anything to manager Joe Girardi until tonight. In between innings Beltran was taking swings in the cage to stay loose and that's where he apparently hurt his elbow. It's being reported as a hyper-extended right elbow, he was immediately pulled from the game and John Ryan Murphy came in to pinch hit for him. Beltran is going for an MRI tonight, but the clubhouse was closed so results wont be available till probably the morning. During the post game interview Girardi was asked how serious it was and said "it was serious enough for him to pull himself out"...."and yeah there's a concern." Not encouraging news for the 37-year old slugger. A stint on the disabled list might not be the worst thing if thats what it takes to get him back healthy. He's a not helping offensively and becomes a defensive liability now that inter-league play has begun.
Setup man Shawn Kelley is still day-to-day with back soreness, it was originally thought that he would be available for tonight's game, but come to find out he was still not ready to go. His MRI did come back clean the other day but after warming up during Sunday's game and again tonight he still doesn't have the flexibility to complete his delivery. He will re-accessed tomorrow and hopefully will be available for Girardi.
Ichiro Suzuki is also day-to-day with slight back injury. He seemed to of strained his back after making a diving catch during Sunday's game. When asked about his injury tonight Ichiro said via his interpreter "Tonight I just couldn't go, I was trying to get warmed up inside, but it was a no-go." It's not clear if he will be available for tomorrow, but will know after he takes batting practice and warm-ups.
Finally Mark Teixeira is dealing with a groin injury. he said after Sunday's game his legs "felt like cement blocks" and probably needed a night off. He was not in the starting lineup tonight. He did pinch hit in the ninth and recorded a single, but was told not to run at full speed. If he had been healthy he could of easily had a double tonight, leaving the Yankees with runners at first and second with one out. Tex said after he fully expects to be the lineup for Tuesday, but we should wait to see the lineups posted. In the end Girardi makes the final decisions. He didn't look good tonight running down the line and cant afford to further injure him if he really just needs another day or two off.
Also note that CC Sabathia will get a final opinion on his knee from Dr. James Andrews in Alabama sometime this week. He's doing this on his own, and the GM Brian Cashman said he is fine with it.