NOT DIDI AGAIN Gregorius could be lost with torn wrist cartilage
The Yankees’ championship hopes were dealt a potentially serious blow Sunday when Didi Gregorius was diagnosed with a torn cartilage in his right wrist.
The shortstop suffered the injury sliding into home on Saturday for the game-winning – and playoff-clinching run – in the 11th inning. Aaron Boone doesn’t know if Gregorius will play again this season, saying the infielder’s status will be determined by how he responds to the cortisone treatment administered Sunday.
An MRI on Sunday uncovered the injury.
“Unsure (if Gregorius will come back). I think there’s a real possibility we do (get him back). There’s also a possibility we don’t,” Boone said. “We’ll know a lot more in a few days and see how the wrist responds to the cortisone shot.”
Without Gregorius in the lineup Sunday, the Yanks’ stalled offensively and lost to the Orioles, 6-3. His replacement at shortstop — Adeiny Hechavarria – went 0-for-2 with a strikeout. Boone said Hechavarria will continue to play in Gregorius’ absence, but he could
also slide over Gleyber Torres from second base.
The defeat left them 1.5 games ahead of Oakland for home-field advantage in the wild-card game on Oct. 3.
“Didi’s a great player and I think everyone in this room understands how important he is to our team,” Boone said. “Kind of an anchor for us defensively in the infield. Obviously what he brings from the left side of the plate. We’ll cross that bridge when we get there. Hopefully we get some good news here in a few days that he responds well.”
The Yankees have already dealt this season with injury absences to Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez. But they’re healthy heading into the playoffs, while Gregorius is now the big question mark.
Gregorius, who returned from a bruised left heel earlier this month, is second on the team in homers (27) and third in RBI (86).
“As you guys know, Didi is an excellent hitter and really good at defense as well. So losing a player of his caliber is definitely going to affect us,” Sanchez said through an interpreter. “It’s upon us to pick up and try to get the job done. And hopefully we can get him back.”