Aaron Boone reveals frustrating Yankees injury that reflects poorly on Brian Cashman

Ah, yes, another Brian Cashman trade that yields absolutely nothing positive for the New York Yankees. Heard that one before? This injury news now makes the acquisitions of Juan Soto and Alex Verdugo even more important as 2024 continues to take shape as a championship-or-bust season.

On Wednesday at spring training, manager Aaron Boone continued the annual tradition of relaying a surprise injury update that will play a role in derailing the Yankees season early on.

Reliever Scott Effross, who was acquired at the 2022 trade deadline for top prospect Hayden Wesneski and hasn't pitched since October of that year, underwent back surgery in December and "won't be available until the summer."

Hmm ... so when we were wondering why it was said Effross wasn't on track to be ready for the start of the season despite undergoing Tommy John surgery in mid-October of 2022, we weren't acting crazy.

Once again, fans knew something was up, and they weren't given the information. Because why would the Yankees do that? It's always better to wait until everyone gets their hopes up for an exciting 2024 campaign so you can make them feel worse about it when they think they're in the clear.

Yankees News: Scott Effross undergoes back surgery and 2024 return will be delayed

Though Effross is under control through 2027, his presence was needed in 2024, which now feels like a lost season for the right-hander. It's already enough of a battle returning from reconstructive elbow surgery, which usually takes months to get back on track from. Throw in a back procedure and we probably won't see the real Effross until 2025.

Looking back on Brian Cashman's rant at the GM Meetings, where he scolded reporters and talked about how it "sucked" injuries, particularly the one to Frankie Montas, occur and make his trades look worse, this situation does nothing to help his case.

At this point, it's an alarming pattern, whether it's in the team's control or not. Every single year there's hidden information about a player's health or an unexpected, freak injury that throws everything off course.

Though Wesneski isn't exactly making the Yankees regret moving him, his 89.1 innings in 2023 certainly would've been useful, as would him being fully healthy heading into 2024. He's now entering his age-26 season with plenty of room to grow.

Effross? He just turned 30, has 71.1 innings of MLB experience, and won't be taking the mound again for the Yankees likely until July (or later). Who wants more years of control of a pitcher who's aging out of his prime and is never available? Regardless of the trade's intention, this gets thrown into the "useless" pile, which is now the height of a New York City skyscraper.