Francisco Cervelli Most Likely Headed To Disabled List

Apr 13, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli (29) grabs his leg on the ground after singling against the Boston Red Sox during the fourth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

While the New York Yankees were busy taking three of four games from the Boston Red Sox over the weekend, the injury bug continues to rear it’s ugly head towards the Bronx Bombers. Prior to the series finale, Joe Girardi held out shortstop Derek Jeter for a second straight game due to tightness in his quad. News then emerged during the game that second baseman Brian Roberts is having issues with his neck, had been administered an MRI which proved to be negative–and all of that was PRIOR to Francisco Cervelli injuring himself while trying to beat out a throw to first base.

After crossing the first base bag concluding what had been called a double play, Cervelli grabbed the back of his leg and hit the ground, where he remained for several minutes while being attended to by the Yankees medical staff. Cervelli eventually limped off the field and was replaced by pinch runner Ichiro Suzuki. Cervelli had originally been called out on the play, but manager Joe Girardi challenged the call, which was overturned. Red Sox skipper John Farrell went completely nuts, and was tossed for berating the umpires. This could be the first time that a manager has been ejected for arguing an instant replay call.

After Cervelli’s exit, Suzuki remained in the game, taking over in right field for Carlos Beltran, who made his major league debut at first base in this, his 16th big league season. The Yankees’ back-up catcher and first baseman, is now most likely headed for the disabled list with a right hamstring strain. In Cervelli’s absence, the team will most likely call-up Austin Romine, who can back-up Brian McCann, who by the way, is nicked up himself, having taken a foul tip off of his right index finger. X-rays were to be taken after the game.

The slew of injuries to the 2014 Bombers brings back bad memories for a team and a fan base that watched helplessly last season, as Derek Jeter, Mark Teixeira, Alex Rodriguez, and others including Cervelli, succumbed to a vast array of injuries, which forced the team to field less than competitive talent, resulting in an 85-win season and missing the playoffs for only the second time in the Wild Card era. Teixeira is expected to return by April 20th, David Robertson shortly thereafter, and hopefully Roberts’ injury just needs a few days rest, and Jeter is expected to return to the lineup Tuesday when the Yankees open a two-game series in the Bronx against the Chicago Cubs.