The New York Yankees are tied for baseball’s best record despite a rash of injuries to some of their best-known players. Likewise, hopes for a long playoff run in the Bronx are buoyed by the prospect of some of those players returning. But one of them, Dellin Betances, finally made his way back only to suffer another injury in his first game Sunday.
Betances had been shelved since Spring Training because of a shoulder injury. This time, however, he landed awkwardly on the mound. When he arrived to the stadium Tuesday, he felt uncomfortable and the Yankees put him through testing. That’s when a partially torn Achilles tendon was discovered.
Boone said that Betances landed awkwardly on the mound the other day. He went through testing today. Surgery is not being recommended at this time but it cannot be ruled out. https://t.co/g3Hv4zWf4c
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) September 18, 2019
‘About as freak as can be’
Betances, a four-time All-Star who will be a free agent this offseason, already had his rehab impeded once. In June, he strained his back while recovering from the shoulder injury, and the Yankees shut him down again.
Finally over those ailments, Betances appeared ready for a couple of weeks of work to see if he could be the Yankees’ dominant setup man and backup closer as he has been the past several seasons. But Sunday’s injury and Tuesday’s news messes all of that up.
“It’s about as freak as can be,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said, according to the Associated Press.
Betances will seek a second opinion on the diagnosis. At this point, he is hopeful to avoid surgery, but the team also said it can’t be ruled out.
Betances partially torn achilles.😞
— Bronx Pinstripes (@BronxPinstripes) September 18, 2019
Surviving and thriving
None of the injuries, however, seem to slow down the Yankees. Their 99-53 record is tied with the Houston Astros (and one game ahead of the Los Angeles Dodgers) for the best in baseball.
Gio Urshela has been a revelation filling in for the injured Miguel Andujar at third base. Aaron Hicks has moved into a starring role with Giancarlo Stanton down for the most of the year, and Luke Voit has helped, too.
As for Betances, the Yankees’ depth in their bullpen has allowed them to flourish anyway. Beyond closer Aroldis Chapman, New York has former All-Star closer Zack Britton and Adam Ottavino, who also has closing experience. The back end of the bullpen would have been even better with Betances, but it’s still one of the best in baseball.
You got to feel for Betances.
He struggled with injuries in the minors.
Came up as a reliever at 26 year old. Made 4 All-Star games straight.
Never complained about his role.
Loses money in arbitration because he’s not a closer.Now this… In his contract year
— Bo Shek (@ShekBo) September 18, 2019
