Yankees: 3 Injuries That Officially Killed the 2019 Season

The 2019 New York Yankees went “next man up,” but couldn’t sustain their title chances beyond these three injuries.

The 2019 New York Yankees were rightfully proud of their “next man up” mentality, and somehow NEVER ran out of next men.

Unfortunately, when the regular season turns to October baseball, every roster spot is magnified with every absence intensified. While 25 reliable forces from the minors, scrap heap, and other ancillary feeders managed to keep the team afloat (and beyond) all season long, there finally came a point where three very specific maladies pushed the team over the edge. The story of the 2019 season has too often involved a terrifying final chapter featuring a buzzing second baseman concealing his chest by reflex, but the incredible team effort had evaporated a bit beforehand thanks to some catastrophic late roster hits.

With apologies to Aaron Judge’s undisclosed rib fracture and lung issue (seriously, how was he allowed to fly across the country?), these three Yankees injuries at the worst possible time finally did this amazing campaign in against the Astros.

3. Mike Tauchman

The New York Yankees’ loss of Mike Tauchman left a hole in their outfield in 2019.

This one was particularly cruel. The Sock Man wouldn’t be available for the postseason? After all he’d done to build the team’s ethos throughout the unexpected 2019 season? That can’t be.

Alas, Mike Tauchman was lost for the year when he pulled up lame in the Fenway Park outfield (of COURSE it came in front of those out-of-the-race hooligans) on Sept. 9, suffering a Grade 2 calf strain too late in the season to plot a return, on an otherwise-innocent play.

“I hurt for him,” manager Aaron Boone told Newsday while awaiting official word. We did, too.

But when he was available, Tauchman was so much more than a stopgap, and he would’ve been an integral part of a postseason outfield mix that ended up emphasizing Cameron Maybin instead, unable to cover for the sudden loss of…well, we’ll get to it.

All told, Tauchman emerged from nowhere to produce 3.8 WAR in only 260 at-bats, sparkling defensively each and every time he was placed in left field, and smacking 13 homers while hitting .277. It can’t be emphasized enough that no one knew who this guy was entering 2019, and come September, nobody could forget him. With a little more luck, he could’ve contributed to earning a ring.

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.