A major loss for the Yankees.
According to manager Aaron Boone, center fielder Harrison Bader's oblique strain will sideline him for around six weeks.
This of course, will sideline Bader until at least April 20.
Bader injured his oblique on an awkward swing in his final at-bat in the Yankees' exhibition game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday.
As Bader told Greg Joyce of The New York Post, he felt rushed in his at-bat, which resulted in an awkward swing and an injury.
“It’s definitely a punch in the face,” Bader told The Post.
Boone is cautiously hopeful that Bader can possibly beat the six-week target return time.
“Hopefully [Bader] can beat [the six-week target],” Boone said. “I think they’re a little surprised at what he’s able to do already and how he feels already. But obliques obviously are about as tricky as they come. We’ll kind of have a better idea a couple weeks from now how he’s doing, what he’s ready to start and things like that.”
When the Yankees acquired Bader from the Cardinals at last summer's trade deadline, he was in a walking boot due to plantar fasciitis. Upon his return, Bader made his presence felt, making an impact defensively and at the plate. He also endured a power surge in the postseason.
Instead of being down about getting hurt, Bader says he has quickly shifted his focus to his recovery.
“A lot of times, you kind of rack your brain trying to figure out why something happened or what went wrong,” he said. “The reality is that a lot of times, nothing went wrong. I think life is random at times and especially when you’re as big and strong as we are, not only in the box but the guy we’re facing on the mound, he’s bringing it too, he’s just as strong. We’re moving really fast and sometimes things kind of spin out of control.”
Although Bader initially thought he just tweaked his oblique, an MRI on Thursday revealed the strain that will keep him out for at least the next six weeks.
With Bader out, the Yankees have the following replacement options in center: Aaron Judge, Aaron Hicks, Estevan Florial and Rafael Ortega. Judge appears to be the most logical choice to replace Bader in center field.
The Yankees are expected to replace Bader internally in the interim and hope to have him back by the end of April.
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