Injuries continue to hit Yankees camp, as they have annually for the past three seasons, with Kyle Higashioka potentially being the latest victim.
Just days after third string backstop Robinson Chirinos suffered a wrist fracture that will require surgery, Higashioka is dealing with “side soreness” and has been scratched from Tuesday’s spring training game.
Aaron Boone didn’t go into specifics with Higashioka’s soreness, but he would be further evaluated at some point on Tuesday.
“We just didn’t want to mess with anything too much,” Boone said. “So that’s why we have [Rob] Brantly starting today and going back-to-back.”
Higashioka has dealt with side issues in the past, suffering an oblique strain as early as last season. With Chrinos’ injury and Gary Sanchez entering a critical season after slumping through all of 2020, Higashioka will play an important role this season.
“They’re going to evaluate him more today,” Boone said. “He just felt like it was something he maybe wanted to get ahead of. I saw him when he first walked in a little bit ago and he said he felt good. But they’ll get hands on him today and see where we are.”
In addition to Higashioka, Adam Warren has been shut down with soreness as well, after being reassigned to the minors last week.
“He was dealing with some shoulder soreness, so he’s actually been shut down for at least a week of no throwing, which he’s at least four or five days into,” Boone said.
As for those still in Tuesday’s lineup, Gio Urshela gets the start at shortstop, which Boone said could be used to prepare for the unexpected in terms of injuries to the infield, where a more versatile Urshela would be valuable.
“Just want to do it here in spring training,” Boone said. “It’s something he’s comfortable doing…it’s just something that felt like I wanted to do this spring in case we ever get in a pinch or we’re in a situation where we need to move him over for a day.”
Of course, after the past three seasons, injuries in Yankees Universe haven’t been so unexpected.
“You never know how the season unfolds,” Boone said. “Injuries happen. The more versatility you can create...and to keep that option open and if any point we get in a situation, we feel more comfortable that he’s been there and done it.”
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