Injury update

New York Yankees: Dellin Betances Nearing Rehab Assignment

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New York Yankees, Dellin Betances

The New York Yankees have not seen their “go-to” guy Dellin Betances throw from a major league mound this season. The 31-year-old endured a lat injury during spring training and has been sidelined all year.

Betances has made great process recently. He threw in a live batting practice session with no issues on Wednesday, where he’s expected to throw another simulated game Saturday. Betances said, “I felt fine today, so I was happy with that.”

Not only has Betances been hurt physically this season, but mentally he’s struggled as well. He’s talked about how he’s been hesitant if he should trust the area (lat) being good to go. Betances added, “This is the first time being hurt in the big leagues. It’s been frustrating, but the fun part is about to start, so I’ll be back for that.”

The New York Yankees intend to have Betances begin a rehab assignment if his next simulated game completes with no issues. There’s hope that the right-hander will be back wearing pinstripes in the bullpen for mid-September.

Betances should be working up to around 25-30 pitches which is roughly two-to-three innings worth. The Yankees might have him work up his innings in the major leagues since the September 1st deadline for roster expansion is approaching quickly.

Betances’ teammate Luis Severino has also been sidelined all year long. He’s been making strong process in his rehab and is expected to have a rehab start this weekend in Scranton. The return of both players would ultimately aid the Yankees as they seek their 29th championship.

New York Yankees: Luis Severino Expected to Make Rehab Start Soon

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New York Yankees, Luis Severino

New York Yankees’ ace Luis Severino has been sidelined all season due to a lat injury he suffered during spring training. Severino’s throwing program has been successful and he’s making giant steps to lead him back on a major league mound.

Severino threw a 35 pitch simulated game on Tuesday and then he’s expected to make a rehab start this upcoming Sunday. The Yankees intend to work Severino up to around 60 pitches so they can either utilize him either as a relief pitcher or starter. Below you can watch Sevy throw, video credit to his wife.

Severino’s return would be huge for the Yankees. However, the main concern with him is finding him innings. The Yankees might have him work his innings up in September to prep him for October. I could see him throwing a game as an opener, and then the next throwing two innings, three innings, and so on. Manager Aaron Boone has said that Sevy is on a five-day rotation schedule now, so that could hint at what the Yankees plan to do with him if he returns healthy.

The Yankees’ remember Severino’s dominance in 2017 and the 2017 postseason. He has everything the Yankees look for in a pitcher – consistency, pitch arsenal, and going the distance.

Besides Severino, teammate Dellin Betances is also on his way from injury. He’s been making progress in his throwing program as well. Since Betances only has to work up to around 20-30 pitches, he’s technically right around the same timetable as Severino. Having both of these guys return would help the Yankees seek their 29th championship.

New York Yankees: Luis Severino’s Throwing Program is Looking Good

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New York Yankees, Luis Severino

The New York Yankees have given Luis Severino a throwing program where they are trying to work him up to around 60 pitches. It looks like the Yankees intend to bring him back into his starter role with what they’ve been doing in his workouts and bullpens.

Severino threw a simulated game down in Tampa on Thursday where he faced more live batters. Here you can watch him throwing via a video from his wife that she posted on Instagram.

Severino has been throwing off a mound for a couple of weeks now where he’s already faced hitters once before this where he worked up to a total 25 pitches. After throwing a few more simulated games and bullpens, Severino will most likely start a minor league rehab in either Tampa or Scranton. Since he hasn’t pitched in a game all season leading back to last season, he’ll have to complete a full Spring Training before he steps on a major league mound in pinstripes.

Manager Aaron Boone said this following the simulated game, “assuming everything goes well with him bouncing back tomorrow, he’ll be on that five-day rotation now. He’ll throw another side in between, probably have a more extensive sim game next time out in five days. If that goes well, then in five days maybe some game action after that.”

Following his bullpen last week Boone said, “I thought he looked really good. He continues to feel strong. I thought the ball was coming out really well” (New York Post). Severino spoke about his throwing and said, “For me, it means a lot. It’s been a very long, long year. Now by doing this step, I feel I’m ready. I feel I’m going to help my team in a couple of weeks” (MLB.com).

The New York Yankees have indicated that they are willing to have Severino return in either a starter or bullpen role. When asked about this, Severino said only one thing: “I just want to pitch.”

New York Yankees: Hicks, Voit, and Encarnacion Injury Update

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New York Yankees, Luke Voit

The New York Yankees just sent their 28th man this season to the injured list with Thairo Estrada’s hamstring injury. The following players have missed significant time however have been making recent progress in their rehabbing.

Aaron Hicks

Out with a right flexor strain, Aaron Boone said that Aaron Hicks still won’t throw for another week. However, progress can move quickly after he starts throwing. Boone has said, “He feels normal. He feels good. Again, it’s something we’re trying for, being conservative with because of the close proximity of the UCL, but he’s been responding well to all of his therapy.”

With no major setbacks and all progress with his rehab, Hicks should be set to return around early-to-mid September.

Luke Voit

Luke Voit was sent to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders to complete full workouts and is set to begin playing games tomorrow. Here you can see Voit taking full swings during BP:

Voit mentioned that he is feeling back to 100% and he thinks he won’t need surgery until maybe the offseason. If all goes well in Scranton, Voit could find himself back in pinstripes in the nearing weeks.

Edwin Encarnacion

After being drilled in the hand similar to Aaron Judge’s last season injury, Edwin Encarnacion is still weeks away from beginning baseball activities. He said that he’s “feeling better” however he’s far back in the rehabbing process. Originally being placed on the 10-day injured list, Encarnacion looks like he will return in three-to-five weeks, most likely being a full five.

New York Yankees: Giancarlo Stanton Provides Injury Update

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New York Yankees, Giancarlo Stanton

In his second season with the New York Yankees, Giancarlo Stanton has endured multiple serious injuries thus far. His most recent, a knee injury, has set him back to miss more significant time of the season. Between his knee, shoulders, and biceps, Stanton has been limited to just 38 plate appearances in nine games.

Stanton met with media Thursday where he talked about his rehabbing and making a return. He said, “I’m hitting and throwing now… the next step would be outside running, outside jogging.” When asked about a possible three-week timetable, Stanton said, “The deadline is when my knee is ready to play major league games.” Stanton also mentioned that he’s enjoyed seeing the team play so well which ultimately kept his injury “not so bad”, however on his end – it’s been “brutal.”

General manager Brian Cashman said that Stanton’s absence is definitely being missed, where he said he much more than a DH. Given his physique, Stanton is a premier outfielder with tremendous athleticism.

Stanton was asked about a healthy return this season to where he said, “Yeah, I’m doing everything I can to get there. So, that’s what this process is and what I’m working for.” So he’s hopeful for a return this season and the Yankees would definitely like his name on the lineup card heading into the postseason. Brian Cashman has also mentioned that he fully expects a September return.

Teammates also expected to make a return soon is Luis Severino, David Hale, Greg Bird, and Luke Voit.

New York Yankees: Luke Voit is Nearing Return

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New York Yankees, Luke Voit

After New York Yankees’ slugger, Luke Voit was diagnosed with a Sports Hernia, many believed that he would miss a big part of the season heading into October. However, recent news shows that there is positive progress and he could be back in pinstripes sooner than later.

Early Monday morning, Voit was at Yankee stadium running through some agility and conditioning drills. Following the workout, he said he felt the hernia mostly when sprinting and during the drills, he had no pain. Voit is extremely optimistic on a healthy return with no surgery.

https://twitter.com/MaxWildstein/status/1160974735544594435

Before the doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles, Voit said, “I’m optimistic with how I’m feeling. Obviously, this week will be a big week with all the baseball activities and stuff. But I’m pretty excited by how I feel.”

More baseball activities were reported to occur following the workout. He’ll most likely be getting cage work and fieldwork before preparing for a triple-A rehab game. Manager Aaron Boone mentioned that when the club takes their West Coast trip, Voit will either go to Tampa or Scranton. He’ll first complete full workouts before heading into a real game.

This season Voit is batting .278 with 19 home runs and 54 runs batted in. He’s been one of the biggest contributors offensively this season. With Voit and teammate Edwin Encarnacion sidelined, Mike Ford from triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders has taken the first base role. Voit will most likely return late August or early September. The Yankees will definitely need his offensive help during the postseason.

New York Yankees: Luis Severino Throws First Bullpen

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New York Yankees, Luis Severino

New York Yankees’ ace Luis Severino finally stepped back on a mound Friday where he threw a 23-pitch bullpen. This session featured Severino’s fastball, changeup, and slider. After completing the bullpen, he used only one word to describe it – “perfect.” Severino continued to say, it was “better than expected. I threw a couple of changeups, the slider and everything was normal. I was expecting my secondary pitches to be a little off, but they were good.”

You can take a look at him throwing using this link:

https://www.mlb.com/yankees/video/severino-s-bullpen-session

Severino’s fluidity looks like it’s coming back to him. He looks strong and well maintained throwing off the mound. Severino believes it’ll take him about a month to fully get him to 100%, where he’s very optimistic about returning as a starter. With no more setbacks, manager Aaron Boone believes it is a very possible timetable. The first major indication would be that Severino comes back tomorrow with no pain following the bullpen.

He is scheduled to throw another bullpen session on Monday, per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. Following his bullpens, the next step would be facing batters. This could take place in the minor leagues or a simulated game setting.

Severino’s last season with the Bombers landed himself finishing 9th in the Cy Young Award voting, where he finished 3rd the year prior. He finished with a 19-8 record and a 3.39 ERA (Baseball Reference).

I believe Severino will find himself back on the mound this season, either as a bullpen arm or a starter. He will use the month of September as a full spring training, where he’ll build himself up to be ready for the postseason. His pitch and inning count will definitely be monitored however I do think the New York Yankees will do anything possible to get him on the postseason roster – granted he healthy.

New York Yankees: Luke Voit Injury Update

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New York Yankees, Luke Voit

New York Yankees’ young slugger Luke Voit was diagnosed with a sports hernia after going through an MRI a few weeks ago whereafter he was placed on the 10-day injured list. This injury could require the Yankee first basemen to undergo surgery which would make him miss around six weeks. However, the decision for surgery would probably have been made already so there is hope for Voit.

A few days ago on August 2nd, it was reported that Voit received a cortisone injection and will be re-evaluated next week to determine if surgery is needed, per Lindsay Adler of The Athletic. This shot is ultimately used to lessen pain and inflammation in a specific area of the body. Teammate Giancarlo Stanton was given a cortisone shot earlier in the year for his shoulder injury and returned to play not too long after.

Voit met with Meredith Marakovits for YESNetwork where he said, “Honestly I’m feeling really good, so I’m pretty optimistic.” When asked about the possibility of coming back for the playoffs if he underwent the surgery he continued, “I would say it’s uncertain, it’s about a six-week timetable so it’d be right around it. It just depends on when I get it or if I get it. Hopefully, I don’t have to get it and maybe I can do it in the offseason.”

What is a sports hernia?

The cause of a sports hernia is from athletic activities that involve planting the feet and twisting with maximum exertion which can cause a tear in the soft tissue of the lower abdomen or groin (OrthoInfo). Pretty much every movement in baseball involves twisting and planting the feet (ex. hitting and throwing). Essentially, a sports hernia is a strain or tear of any soft tissue in the lower abdomen and groin area.

New York Yankees: Gary Sanchez Injury Update

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New York Yankees, Gary Sanchez

New York Yankees’ catcher Gary Sanchez injured his groin while running out a groundball during a game against the Minnesota Twins on July 23rd. The club feared that they were going to lose their slugging catcher for the rest of August however recent news is showing a positive recovery.

Manager Aaron Boone met with media on Sunday that Sanchez would most likely begin a minor-league rehab later this week or next week, per Lindsay Adler of The Athletic. Sanchez also caught a bullpen over the weekend where he said he had no pain.

Bryan Hoch from MLB.com tweeted a video of Sanchez running down the line at Yankee Stadium before a game. This also could have been a drill they were giving him to teach him how to hit the bag properly – which is how he injured his groin.

It looks like Sanchez is nearing the end of his recovery and should be starting baseball activities soon. Boone said that there is a possibility that he comes off the 10-day injured list before next week’s series against the Tampa Bay Rays. Sanchez’s return for this series would be huge as the Yanks will try to bury the Rays in the standings.

Sanchez is currently slashing .229/.299/.508 with 24 home runs and 58 runs batted in this season (Baseball Reference). Prior to his injury, he was slumping a bit where he only had six hits in July and one home run. However, it looked like he was having better swings the Minnesota series and was just having bad luck at the plate.

New York Yankees: Dellin Betances Timetable and Update

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New York Yankees, Dellin Betances

Dellin Betances of the New York Yankees has missed the entire season so far with an injured lat. His rehabbing has been up and down, however there is some positive news with the hard-throwing reliever.

Betances threw on flat ground from 60 feet away this past Monday, per Cole Harvey of ESPN.com. This was the first time he has thrown since early June, and is just the beginning of his throwing program. Betances is expected to complete a full throwing program before he moves into live games.

Manager Aaron Boone said this about Betances and his teammate Luis Severino, “Within the next couple of weeks, if everything continues to progress,” Boone said. “I would say some time in the early part of next month, they should be on the mound, if everything continues to go well.”

According to CBS sports, Betances is expected to be out until at least August 6th. However, I don’t see this occurring. He has too much ground to cover before he heads into live games and I think he’ll return late August.

Betances is one of the best arms in the Yankees’ bullpen. He was credited to a 2.70 ERA last season where he only allowed 20 earned runs in 66.2 innings pitched (Baseball Reference). He runs his fastball to triple digits while having a spinner at 86 mph to keep hitters guessing.

The Yankees bullpen hasn’t really missed a step with Betances’ absence. They rank second among the league’s bullpen ERAs with a 3.72, just behind Cleveland’s 3.30. They have limited batters to a .236 batting average with an astounding 442 strikeouts this season so far.