It may be a while before the New York Yankees receive any contributions from third baseman Kevin Youkilis.
Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News reported on Monday that Yankees general manager Brian Cashman was concerned over Youkilis’ status following a lumbar strain the veteran sustained in the team’s 18-inning loss to the Oakland Athletics on Thursday.
Instead of good news, however, the Yankees learned Youkilis will need back surgery to repair a herniated disc and is expected to miss 10-to-12 weeks of action, as reported by Aaron Gleeman of NBC Sports:
Given the initial timetable for his return, Youkilis could face missing the remainder of the season after batting just .219 in 28 games with the Yankees thus far in 2013. Considering the team’s mounting list of injuries, even that subpar production will be missed from the lineup.
Mark Teixeira is back on the disabled list, as reported by Feinsand, joining Curtis Granderson, Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Eduardo Nunez and Francisco Cervelli. If the Yankees’ injury problems continue to pile up, they could be entering dangerous territory in a tight AL East race.
At 38-31, New York is three games back of the Boston Red Sox and just two games ahead of the fourth-place Tampa Bay Rays. In the middle of a recent 4-6 skid and with even more uncertainty at key positions, New York is facing an uphill battle to stay afloat in the division.
Youkilis signed with the Yankees last offseason on a one-year, $12 million contract in hopes of replacing some of Rodriguez’s production as he tries to get back into playing shape. Instead, the former Red Sox slugger tallied just two home runs and eight RBI this season.
His injury now leaves the Yankees with yet another hole to fill.
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