Yankees Injury News: The Walking Wounded

This has been a rough season for injuries for the New York Yankees. But, they have persevered through each one. The latest player to head to the disabled list is Alex Rodriguez, who suffered a non-displaced fracture of the fifth metacarpal bone in his left hand, after being struck by an 88-mph change-up delivered by Seattle mariners starter Felix Hernandez.

A-Rod will be seen by the Yankees’ team physician when they arrive back home tomorrow after this afternoon’s series finale with the Mariners. The initial estimate for Rodriguez’s return is six to eight weeks.

The immediate on field response to the injury will likely be increased time at third base for oft-injured Eric Chavez. The Yankees have worked hard this season at keeping both A-Rod and Chavez healthy by giving rest where needed for the former and limited use for the latter. The Yankees have Jayson Nix up with the team as a utility player. Several Twitter reports state that infielder Ramiro Pena will be taking A-Rod’s spot on the roster.

The Yankees have suffered numerous blows to key players throughout the season, but this one seems to come at an extremely inopportune time. Rodriguez was in the midst of a 9-for-23 run and for the month of July was hitting .315/.367/.493 with five doubles, a triple, two homers, nine RBI and five stolen bases. The offense as a whole has not be scoring runs in bunches and it seemed like A-Rod was set to carry the load at least for a little while.

Gardner undergoes surgery

Brett Gardner played in only nine games before suffering an elbow injury, which has now been surgically repaired and he’s likely out for the remainder of the season. Dr. Christopher Ahmad, who will be handling A-Rod’s injury, performed the surgery which is said to have gone well.

Cashman shreds physical therapist’s assessment on Mo’s return

Mariano Rivera will not pitch again this year despite comments made by his physical therapist that he could according to statements made by Yankees’ general manager Brian Cashman. Cashman said the therapist, who is not on the Yankees’ payroll, should have kept quiet and his remarks were “unprofessional“.

"“He’s not coming back this year and I wish he was, I wish he was, but unfortunately people get excited. They want to get their name out there for whatever reason, and so he got a day in the sun, but he’ll be proven wrong in the end unfortunately.”"

Chamberlain tosses perfect inning with Class-A Tampa

Joba Chamberlain pitched a scoreless inning with Class-A Tampa yesterday afternoon as he gets closer to returning to the Bronx. His recovery window ends on August 6th, meaning the Yankees will have to activate him by then unless there is a setback.