The Yankees announced Friday that infield prospect Thairo Estrada suffered a gunshot wound in his native Venezuela last month and is still recovering.
The incident apparently took place during a robbery attempt and the bullet is still lodged in the 21-year-old’s hip.
Thairo Estrada suffered gunshot wound in hip in Venezuela at the end of January, Yankees just said. Boone said the Yankees feel the infield prospect will recuperate and play the bulk of the season. He’s in camp now.
— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) February 16, 2018
He had surgery following the attack and was in the hospital for three days. There are no further surgeries scheduled and Estrada said, “I don’t think it will affect me at all.”
Aaron Boone mirrored the prospect’s positivity, saying: “We’re optimistic. I don’t think this is going to be a long-term situation, but we’ll just have to see how he progresses.” He may not be ready for opening day, but the Yankees fully expect him to play the majority of the season.
Estrada’s wife, who was with him at the time, was unharmed. The infielder was entering a restaurant when two suspects demanded his wallet and phone. He said he did not know who the assailants were, nor did he know if they knew who he was.
The team’s 16th-ranked prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, has spent the last five seasons in the organization. He hit .301/.353/.392 with six home runs and 48 RBI through 122 games with Double-A Trenton last season. In the Arizona Fall League, he slashed .342/.381/.320 with one homer and 10 RBI in 20 games.
