Harrison Bader is off to the IL, and could miss “a few weeks” after injuring his hamstring while running out an infield grounder.
With Bader heading back on the shelf, Sal Licata says the Yankees will be losing their most important position player outside of Aaron Judge.
“The difference was clear when you saw him return to their lineup at the Trop,” Sal said. “Everything changed there…you saw a difference in this team, a team that played with an edge.
“The Yankees should be the best team in the American League…this is a problem. Without Harrison Bader, the entire look of the team changes. Bader is probably the second most important position player…Bader is the one guy they can’t lose for an extended period, outside of Aaron Judge.”
Now, Bader could be lost for an extended period for the second time already this season, after missing extended time when he was acquired from the Cardinals due to lingering plantar fasciitis in his foot.
“He’s always hurt,” Sal said. “The Yankees acquired him when he was injured, and he gets hurt again to start this year, and now again…it’s frustrating.
“Can they keep these freaking guys healthy enough to go out there and compete for a World Series? If they’re not whole, or close to whole, they’re not gonna be able to do so.”
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