Is Yankees’ Andrew Benintendi out for season after latest injury update?

Want to be confused? Well, I mean … no, you wouldn’t want that. But sometimes it’s unavoidable, like in the case of Andrew Benintendi’s popping wrist injury. Even though Benintendi hit the IL with what was officially deemed “wrist inflammation,” everyone knew that the “further tests” the Yankees had scheduled would probably reveal the true culprit.

After all, Benintendi reportedly heard a pop when he swung on Friday, and most people don’t exit abruptly in the middle of an AL East battle after suffering an extremely minor injury on a swing. Whenever an injury is unforced — non-contact or normal, repetitive motion causing an unexpected breakdown — it’s usually very bad.

Of course, the bad Benintendi news ultimately marred Sunday’s win instead of being announced more comfortably after, say, Saturday’s loss.

During the postgame scrum Sunday, Aaron Boone noted that further tests revealed Benintendi had broken the hook of his hamate bone and would need immediate surgery.

Then, Boone immediately broke from the script and had to walk things back while noting that this surgery didn’t necessarily mean Benintendi would be shut down for the remainder of the season.

What? It’s Sept. 4! How?!

Yankees’ Andrew Benintendi injury details: OF broke hook of hamate bone

Now, you’re likely as shocked as Aaron Boone was. After all, Benintendi’s X-Rays were negative. The negative nellies around probably assumed further tests would ultimately reveal a small muscular tear or something. Nope! A fracture. The X-Rays were wrong. What a world.

Even more shocking? Benintendi reportedly does not have a hamate bone in that wrist, and had surgery to remove it years ago before his professional career started. Apparently, some must’ve been left in.

Seems like now might be a good time to get in touch with the surgeon? Volley a few questions back and forth?

According to Boone’s personal experience, though everyone reacts to this injury differently (especially people who theoretically do not have hamate bones), this might not actually be the horrific news it sounds like at first blush. Boone expressed optimism that it might not be a wrap on Benintendi’s Yankees career as he approaches free agency.

Now, does that mean the Yankees have to embark on a deep playoff run for Benintendi to return? Is this like, say, a pitcher having surgery to remove bone chips? Does a month feel like a fair estimate? Benintendi apparently thinks he could be back before the end of the regular season, which only contains 28 more games.

It’s too soon to speculate, but it’s apparently also too soon to knee-jerk rule Benintendi out for the rest of the year.

Regardless, Harrison Bader’s return and Oswaldo Cabrera’s continued outfield reps just got far more impactful down the stretch and into October. Both should get as many chances as possible during the season’s final three weeks.

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