How Could Brett Gardner’s Injured Wrist Affect the Yankees?

New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner is easing into spring training due to a wrist injury. What could this injury mean for the Yankees in 2016?

Spring training is already off to a slow start for Brett Gardner.

According to Ryan Hatch of NJ.com, the Yankees speedy outfielder is still dealing with a bone bruise to his left wrist. Hatch said Gardner sustained the injury during last season’s American League Wild Card Game.

"“Gardner, who throws left-handed, apparently injured the wrist when jumping for a ball against the outfield wall in the top of the second inning while playing center against the Houston Astros,” Hatch said.“General manager Brian Cashman said Gardner reached out in the weeks after the Wild Card game and said that his wrist was bothering him. A CT scan showed a bone bruise.”“Cashman said Thursday at Yankees camp that Gardner took only dry swings this winter, meaning he hasn’t hit live pitching in the batting cages.”“‘We’re just going to stagger him out (this spring),’ Cashman said.”"

Here is video of the play:

Additionally, Cashman said the team plans to “take it slow” with Gardner, Hatch wrote.

"“Cashman said the team hasn’t thought far enough ahead about whether Gardner would play in the first spring game on March 2,” said Hatch.“‘We’ll do the tee and dry toss and then expand it, just because we have a time frame on it,’ Cashman said. ‘Spring training’s long enough, so we don’t have to be rushing on anything.'”“The team is not planning any more CT scans for Gardner this spring. The last one, he said, showed ‘significant’ improvement, Cashman said.”"

Gardner, a first-time All-Star last season, trudged through an abysmal slump during the second half of 2015. After hitting .302 with 10 home runs and 42 RBIs prior to the Midsummer Classic, the 32-year-old hit just .206 with 6 home runs and 24 RBIs following the All-Star break.

Despite his late season offensive woes in 2015, if Gardner were to miss time at the beginning of this season because of the injury, his absence could affect the Yankees in a number of ways.

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First, without Gardner, Aaron Hicks goes from being a bench option to an everyday player.

Manager Joe Girardi has already said Hicks will start four games each week this season. However, if Gardner’s wrist remains an issue, Hicks would be in the lineup on a nightly basis. The former Minnesota Twin has not played more than 97 games in a season thus far in his young major league career.

While some Yankees fans might view the 26-year-old as “inexperienced,” they should first consider some of the team’s other outfield options.

Slade Heathcott and Mason Williams, the two most likely alternatives to Hicks in Gardner’s absence, have a combined 25 games of big league experience. Neither of them would be a viable long-term replacement.

Without question, Hick’s role and value to the Yankees would increase drastically if Gardner’s ailing wrist prevents him from playing. Acquiring Hicks from the Minnesota Twins in November could prove to be the Bronx Bomber’s most pivotal off season move.

Furthermore, when Gardner is not playing, the Yankees will lose one of their best base runners. Gardner led the the Yankees in stolen bases in 2011 and 2013. In 2011, he and Coco Crisp led the American League with 49 stolen bags. In 2015, the speedster’s 20 stolen bases were good for second-most on the team behind Jacoby Ellsbury.

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Even though his stolen base numbers have decreased every year over the past three seasons, Gardner is always a constant threat to steal. He puts pressure on opposing pitchers and draws his fair share of pick-off attempts.

Taking extra bases is another weapon in Gardner’s arsenal. His ability to turn a single into a double or to go from first third on a base hit would surely be missed by the Yankees.

Finally, who would the Yankees pencil into his spot in the lineup if he is unable to take the field? Without Gardner in the two hole, Girardi would need to tinker with Yankees lineup.

Would the Yankees skipper move Didi Gregorius or Starlin Castro up from the bottom of the lineup? Could Chase Headley be an option? What about Hicks? The Yankee skipper could have a very difficult decision on his hands if Gardner’s injury does not improve.

During the first half of last season, Gardner was one of the best table-setters in baseball. It would be tough for his potential replacement in the lineup to replicate that type of production.

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It remains to be seen whether Gardner’s injury will cause him to miss any games this season. However, if he is unable to suit up, the Yankees better be ready to deal with the consequences.