Mar 1, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; New York Yankees center fielder Harrison Bader (22) scores a run during the fourth inning against the Washington Nationals at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
MLB: Spring Training-Washington Nationals at New York Yankees
(New York, NY) — Add Harrison Bader to the list of New York Yankees that have suffered an injury during Spring Training.
The 28-year-old has been diagnosed with a left oblique strain, after feeling discomfort during Wednesday’s contest vs. the St. Louis Cardinals. Yankees manager Aaron Boone did not provide an official timeline, but there’s a very good chance the outfielder begins the season on the injured list.
“He’s getting tested. We’ll see what we have there,” Boone told reporters Thursday. “He swung and felt something in there. You don’t like to see that.”
If Bader isn’t ready for the start of the season, expect the likes of Aaron Hicks, Estevan Florial, and Rafael Ortega to compete for the starting job.
The news comes just a day after general manger Brian Cashman announced that pitchers Carlos Rodon (forearm strain), Tommy Kahnle (biceps tendinitis) and Lou Trivino (elbow ligament sprain) would open the season on the IL. Add them to a list that already includes Frankie Montas (shoulder surgery), and minor league catchers Josh Breaux, (elbow), and Ben Rortvedt(aneurysm).
Bader, who has been accustomed to missing time, has played 367 of 546 possible (67%) of regular season games since 2019, according to CBS. Bader was on the injured list with plantar fasciitis when the Yankees acquired him from the St. Louis Cardinals at last summer’s trade deadline.
