The Yankees were hoping to get Mark Teixeira back before the start of the playoffs, but that will no longer be the case as the power-hitting first baseman has a fractured shin and will miss the remainder of the season. This comes as the Yankees are making a playoff push against the Toronto Blue Jays for the AL East crown. The expected recovery time is three months.
Cashman just told reporters at Stadium that Teixeira is done for the season. The latest MRI showed a fracture. Recovery time is 3 months.
— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) September 11, 2015
The Gold Glove first baseman was on his way to a bounce back season after missing a large amount of games last year, as he had 31 homeruns and 79 runs batted in. His slash line of .255/.357/.548 was his best since 2009, when he helped lead the team to a World Series Trophy. He was having an MVP caliber season before fouling a pitch off of his right leg and will have missed 43 out of the final 45 regular season games.
The team will most likely look to lean on rookie Greg Bird to take over the duties at first base .
The 22-year-old Bird has been another bright young player for the Yankees this season. Since debuting, he has hit .241 with five long balls. He has also been stellar in the field.
Without Teixeira and his proven bat in the lineup, the Yankees will have a tougher road to the World Series, but Bird has played well in his absence to give the Yanks at least some sense of insurance with the slugger out for the year.
