Yankees: 3 Injuries That Officially Killed the 2019 Season

2. Dellin Betances

The New York Yankees sorely missed Dellin Betances during the 2019 Playoffs.

If the New York Yankees had Dellin Betances to deploy in a few early rough spots during the 2019 ALCS, they might’ve been able to withstand the huge workload they placed on their relief corps, especially in Game 2.

Instead, plenty of people who should’ve gotten more rest were forced to extend themselves at such an important moment (Zack Britton appeared in five games of a six-game series), and when Adam Ottavino’s sudden struggles should’ve banished him out of the spotlight, he was instead still relied upon.

If only Betances hadn’t exerted himself so much in Sept — oh, right, it was the freakiest of freak injuries that felled him.

Yes, Betances was lost for the season (after a full year of rehabbing a mysterious shoulder ailment) when he hopped off the mound in excitement after returning to the bigs and recording a K. He walked off the hill as if nothing was wrong.

The diagnosis of a partially torn Achilles came the next day, after a win over the Los Angeles Angels that had previously been headlined by Luis Severino’s sterling start, ending his own injury battle. Absolutely gutting.

For morale reasons and October needs, this loss was exceptionally deflating, and Betances’ Yankees career (for now) came to an end, adding to the hurt a few months later.