Following Monday’s 3-2 loss to the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards, the New York Yankees have lost four straight games and five of their last six contests.
But that’s not the only bad news the team is dealing with.
New York is dealing with a fair share of injuries — designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton, outfielder Jasson Dominguez, and pitchers Gerrit Cole, Clarke Schmidt, and Angel Chivilli — and on Sunday the team suffered another.
Infielder Jose Caballero, who’s filling in for shortstop Anthony Volpe who’s in Triple-A completing his rehab assignment, injured his hand in Sunday’s 4-3 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.
Yankees Bracing for Bad News on Caballero
GettyNew York Yankees IF Jose Caballero missed Monday’s game vs the Orioles with a hand injury
Speaking to reporters before Monday’s game against the Orioles — the first of a three-game road series — Yankees manager Aaron Boone admitted there’s cause for concern that Caballero could miss some significant time.
“José Caballero is dealing with a banged up middle finger on his right hand. Hurt it sliding back to the base yesterday,” Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News posted on X. “He’s gotten treatment. Next step is an MRI. He doesn’t think it’s a fracture and didn’t seem too worried about a possible IL stint. #Yankees.”
Phillips added in a follow-up tweet: “Aaron Boone said ‘there’s definitely some concern’ over José Caballero’s finger. He’s gonna go back to NY to see a hand specialist and Dr. Ahmad after tonight’s game. #Yankees.”
Caballero himself even admitted that there could be a serious issue with his hand.
“It just doesn’t feel great,” he disclosed. “I’m not happy that I have to be out of the lineup today.”
After sitting out of Monday’s game, the plan is for Caballero to head back to New York on Tuesday morning to visit with team physician Dr. Chris Ahmad and have a subsequent visit with a hand specialist.
How Big of a Loss is Caballero for the Yankees?
GettyNew York Yankees IF Jose Caballero could miss time with a hand injury
Through New York’s first 42 games, Caballero has appeared in 41 of them, contributing whenever called upon.
The 29-year-old utility infielder has logged 35 hits in 135 at bats (.259 average) with 4 home runs, 13 RBIs, 13 stolen bases, 8 walks, a .320 on-base percentage, and a. 400 slugging percentage.
Though he had a rough start to the year, Caballero has really come on strong in recent weeks. Losing his production is a gut punch to the Yankees at such a critical stretch early in the season.
“He’s been great,” Boone said. “He’s been such a good performer for us here to start the year on both sides of the ball. He’s been a key part of our team to this point, but hopefully it’s just a day-to-day situation. We’ll have a better idea tomorrow.”
With his middle finger banged up after diving into the first base bag, Caballero likely won’t see the field or the plate anytime soon. However, he didn’t rule out being used as a pinch runner while his hand heals up.
Yankees Bracing for Potentially Devastating Injury News