Yankees Lose Castro and Ellsbury to Injury as Playoff Hopes Flicker Out

The New York Yankees had two key members of their starting lineup leave with injuries in Saturday’s 6-5 loss to the Boston Red Sox.

Not only did the New York Yankees playoff hopes more or less die with their third straight loss to the rival Red Sox, but they lost two regulars to injury in what may have been the most disheartening game of the season.

After ripping a double to the gap in the fifth inning, Starlin Castro pulled up in obvious pain after rounding first, and was barely able to hobble into second. It was immediately apparent that it was an injured hamstring. Yankees manager Joe Girardi and a trainer pulled Castro from the game right away and he’s been sent back to New York for tests to determine the severity of the injury.

In the seventh inning, center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury crashed into a wall attempting to field what turned into a double by Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts. While he stayed in temporarily after the collision, he was taken out following the inning and sent along with Castro for further testing in New York.

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While it’s a shame to lose Castro the way he’s been hitting, the real scary injury here is Ellsbury’s. The 33-year-old had the worst offensive season of his career in 2015 and it seemed to be a direct result of the knee injury he suffered in May. He’s already clearly in decline, and any injury that has the potential to affect his speed should make Yankees fans very nervous.

New York has around $90 million invested in Ellsbury’s age 33-36 seasons. That was never smart, but a significant injury could turn that contract into a complete disaster in a hurry. At the very least it is safe to assume that Ellsbury is done for the year, and it also seems likely that this is the kind of thing that could impact the veteran speedster’s ability to prepare for 2017.

With Aaron Judge and Aaron Hicks on the shelf, the Yankees once abundant outfield crop is getting a little thinner. Rob Refsnyder may slide over to second base to cover for Castro, leaving Brett Gardner, Mason Williams, Tyler Austin, and Eric Young Jr. left to handle outfield duties barring another call up from Triple-A. Could this injury prompt a promotion for International League Championship series MVP Jake Cave?

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There is one silver lining. In the short term, these losses likely mean increased playing time for Mason Williams and Ronald Torreyes, two guys who are probably deserving of a regular shot.