Brian Cashman addressed a foot injury to first baseman Greg Bird on Saturday before the Yankees’ afternoon game in Baltimore. The injury, which was first sustained in Clearwater last week, was said to be considered of small concern. An x-ray was taken and was negative. His status is day-to-day, and the team is hoping that Bird will be available for the home opener at Yankees Stadium in the Bronx on Monday. Free agent Chris Carter will get the starts in Bird’s absence.
The news on James Kaprielian is not as bright. After missing almost all last year with an elbow injury, he appeared to be healthy at the end of spring training. However, before the Tampa Yankees began their season, Kaprielian reported a recurrence of elbow pain. He underwent a pair of MRIs which were reviewed by Team Physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad. A follow-up consultation will take place in California on Tuesday with Dr. Neil ElAttrache. Kaprielian entered the 2017 season as the Yankees’ number five prospect and had been considered a possible late-season call-up. Yankees’ fans will be holding their collective breath.
Another injury of concern occurred during the Yankees’ game against the Orioles. Gary Sanchez came out of the game in the middle of an at bat, during the fifth inning, after swinging the bat. Michael Kay, of the YES Network, reported it as a right bicep strain. Austin Romine came in to replace him. An arm injury would significantly affect his throwing game as well as his power bat. The Yankees will likely be very cautious with their young superstar. If Sanchez does indeed miss significant time, Kyle Higashioka will be recalled from Scranton. Higashioka is the team’s number 36 prospect and is the only other catcher on the 40-man roster.
Meredith Marakovitz, from YES Network, is reporting that shortstop Didi Gregorius has started a throwing program which will take about two weeks. A short rehab assignment will follow, putting him in line for a return to action for the Yankees right around the beginning of May. Gregorius injured his right shoulder while playing second base for Team Netherlands during the World Baseball Classic.
Tyler Austin was moved to the 60-day disabled list at the beginning of the season to make room for Pete Kozma on the 40-man roster. Austin fractured his foot taking batting practice before spring training even began. Once Austin is fully healed from the injury, it will take him several weeks to be game ready.
The Scranton Rail Riders are currently listing four players, on their roster, as being on the disabled list. Three of those are all pitchers that had Tommy John Surgery early in the 2016 season and should be approaching the early end of their window to return. They are Chaz Hebert, Branden Pinder, and Nick Rumbelow. The fourth member of the DL is Jake Cave (Yankees prospect #31) who is recovering from knee surgery
The Trenton Thunder lists Will Carter, Kellin Deglan, Jeff Hendrix, Ronald Herrera (41), and Eric Wooten on the DL.
The Tampa Yankees include Jordan Foley, Brody Koerner, James Reeves, Stephen Tarpley, and Chris Gittens (50) on the 7-day DL.
Another injury of note is being reported by Josh Norris of Baseball America. He says that Yankees’ #13 prospect Dillon Tate is dealing with a “balky shoulder.”
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