Injuries & Moves: Rizzo set to return to lineup in LA
LATEST NEWS
May 31: 1B Anthony Rizzo (stiff neck) out of lineup, improving
Rizzo collided with San Diego’s Fernando Tatis Jr. on a play at first base on Sunday. He underwent concussion testing and had no issues, but manager Aaron Boone rested Rizzo for all three games of the series against the Mariners in Seattle. Rizzo is expected to return to action on Friday at Los Angeles.
“He’s doing a lot better,” Boone said. “I would expect him to be probably in the lineup on Friday, and a player off the bench for us [Wednesday].”
May 30: OF Harrison Bader placed on the 10-day injured list; C Jose Trevino reinstated from the IL; INF/OF Franchy Cordero recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
Trevino, who had been sidelined with a right hamstring strain, was in the starting lineup behind the plate Tuesday against the Mariners. Bader sustained a right hamstring strain while legging out an infield single in the third inning Monday. Cordero replaces Bader on the active roster. Catcher Ben Rortvedt was optioned to Triple-A to clear room for Trevino.
Of Bader’s injury, manager Aaron Boone said it will “probably be a couple of weeks, but we’ll see.”
INJURY UPDATES
10-day and 15-day IL
OF Harrison Bader (right hamstring strain)
Expected return: Mid- to late June
Bader sustained a low-grade hamstring strain while legging out an infield hit on May 29 at Seattle. An MRI taken on May 30 confirmed the strain. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that Bader will probably miss “a couple of weeks,” adding, “A guy like him really relies on his legs. It wasn’t bad, but it’s enough to know that at least these 10 days are needed.” (Last updated: May 31)
3B Josh Donaldson (right hamstring strain)
Expected return: June 2
Donaldson went 1-for-4 for Double-A Somerset on May 30 and flew to Los Angeles on May 31, slated to rejoin the big league squad for the June 2-4 series in Los Angeles. In this most recent four-game rehab stint, Donaldson went 4-for-13 (.308) with a double and a home run. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he envisions Donaldson reclaiming his spot as the starting third baseman when he returns.
“It’s been a decent amount of time,” Donaldson said. “I would like to get back out there and help my team.”
Donaldson experienced a minor setback during the week of May 14, when he sliced his thumb while assembling something at home for his daughter, an injury that kept him from hitting for a few days. Donaldson played in a Minor League rehab game on April 18, then he was diagnosed with what Boone described as a “Grade 1-plus strain” of his right hamstring, ending his earlier rehab assignment. The initial injury occurred when he exited the Yankees' April 5 game. (Last updated: May 31)
OF/DH Giancarlo Stanton (left hamstring)
Expected return: Possibly June 2-4
Stanton began a Minor League rehab assignment on May 30 with Double-A Somerset and went 0-for-3 with a walk. He flew to California on May 31 and is a possibility to be activated during the Yankees' June 2-4 series in Los Angeles.
“I’m going to get through today and go from there,” Stanton said. “See how I feel moving around, picking up the ball and everything, and go from there.”
Stanton was injured while running the bases on April 15. He was diagnosed with a Grade 2 strain of his left hamstring, and Boone had said that the club was hopeful to have Stanton back “in six weeks,” which would be the week of May 28.
“It was not the ideal six weeks, but I’m here now, very close to being back where I want to be,” Stanton said. (Last updated: May 31)
LHP Carlos Rodón (left elbow strain, back stiffness)
Expected return: TBD
Rodón resumed throwing from a bullpen mound in a “touch and feel” session on May 29 in Seattle and is expected to throw twice more from mounds during the Yankees’ West Coast trip; his next such session is scheduled for June 2 at Dodger Stadium. Rodón previously tossed from a distance of 120 feet across the Yankee Stadium outfield.
“I just tried to attack the zone, even though no one was standing in,” Rodón said. “I tried to make it game-like and then threw some sequences at the end, so it was good.”
Rodón received a cortisone injection on May 9 to address the lingering stiffness in his back, which he said “definitely helped,” adding, “I haven’t felt anything since then, so that’s good.”
The lefty was seen by three specialists to determine the cause of that discomfort in his back (thoracic), which he has been told is “chronic.” The positive development is that Rodón’s elbow is healthy. He was diagnosed with a mild strain of the brachioradialis muscle in his left elbow after experiencing discomfort on March 5; he said he pitched through a similar issue last May with the Giants. (Last updated: May 31)
RHP Ian Hamilton (right groin strain)
Expected return: Mid-June
Hamilton tossed from a bullpen mound on May 30 at Double-A Somerset, the first time he has done so since sustaining a groin strain on May 16. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that Hamilton experienced a similar groin strain about a year ago and that Hamilton “feels like it’s akin to that.” Boone said that he hopes Hamilton can return in about four weeks, which would be approximately June 13. (Last updated: May 30)
60-day IL
RHP Tommy Kahnle (right biceps tendinitis)
Expected return: June 2
Kahnle pitched one inning on May 30 for Double-A Somerset, his fifth Minor League rehab appearance after pitching on May 18 and May 21 for Single-A Tampa, then May 25 and May 28 for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Kahnle flew to Los Angeles to meet the team for its June 2-4 series against the Dodgers.
“I’m pretty excited,” Kahnle said. “I’ve been waiting for a couple of months here. I’m champing at the bit to be out there.”
Kahnle experienced right biceps tendinitis early in Spring Training, prompting a March 21 cortisone injection. He said that he dealt with a similar issue in 2018. (Last updated: May 31)
RHP Frankie Montas (right shoulder inflammation)
Expected return: Possibly second half
Montas underwent arthroscopic surgery on Feb. 21 in Los Angeles, a procedure performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who cleaned up the hurler’s labrum. Montas said that he “for sure” expects to pitch in the big leagues this season. As of May 13, Montas was said to be doing well and nearing a throwing program. Recurring inflammation in the shoulder affected Montas last season with the Athletics and Yankees, and he said that he “wasn’t fully 100 percent” when New York acquired him in a six-player trade on Aug. 1. He was transferred to the 60-day injured list on April 3. (Last updated: May 13)
RHP Jonathan Loáisiga (bone spur in right elbow)
Expected return: August/September
Loáisiga, who was transferred to the 60-day injured list on May 10, underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove a bone spur and loose bodies from his pitching elbow on May 2 in New York, a procedure that was performed by Dr. Christopher Ahmad. Surgery went as expected, manager Aaron Boone said. Loáisiga will not be able to throw for approximately three to six weeks. He experienced soreness in his right elbow before an April 7 game at Baltimore and was unable to resume throwing without discomfort. (Last updated: May 11)
RHP Lou Trivino (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: 2024
Trivino will undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery on May 3 in Los Angeles, with Dr. Neal ElAttrache performing the procedure. Trivino experienced discomfort near his right elbow after an April live batting practice session, which shut him down from throwing. He saw team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad in New York on April 26 and traveled to Los Angeles for a second opinion on May 1. (Last updated: May 2)
RHP Scott Effross (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: 2024
Effross underwent Tommy John surgery in October 2022 and began a throwing program on March 6. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said on May 1 that Effross’ recovery is going well. Given the typical timeline of 12-18 months, Effross is expected to miss the entire 2023 season. He remained behind in Tampa, Fla., when the team headed north. Effross was placed on the 60-day injured list on March 30. (Last updated: May 1)
RHP Luis Gil (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: Second half of 2023
Gil underwent Tommy John surgery in May 2022, and he's expected to return to the mound sometime during the second half of the ‘23 season. Gil’s recovery was said to be going well as of May 1. Gil resumed playing catch on Oct. 4 at the Yankees’ player development complex in Tampa, Fla., and he will continue his rehab. He was placed on the 60-day injured list on March 30. (Last updated: May 1)