The New York Yankees cannot escape injuries. Detroit Tigers pitcher Doug Fister hit Eduardo Nunez with a pitch in the fourth inning.
After the hit, Nunez grabbed his bicep and fell to the ground. He was helped off the field by manager Joe Girardi and a team trainer. X-rays were negative and Nunez only suffered a bruised right bicep.
“I was afraid it was broken,” he said. “I felt much better when I hear the X-ray was negative, just a bruise, you know? We’ll see how my arm recovers.”
Girardi is going to take it day by day and Jayson Nix will take over at shortstop. If Nunez is out longer than expected catcher Francisco Cervelli will step in. He played second and third base in previous games.
Nunez was filling in at shortstop for injured captain and star Derek Jeter. He broke his ankle in Game 1 of the ALCS against the same Detroit Tigers. He had surgery on October 1 and appeared to make progress during spring training. However, he was sidelined on March 19 due to soreness. Yankees do not expect him back until May 1.
The Yankees lost starter Hiroki Kuroda in their second game after taking a line drive off his right middle finger. He was pulled after he hit two batters and walked the third. The X-ray and CT scan came back negative and he was diagnosed with a bruise on his finger. He threw 36 pitches in the bullpen on Friday morning and he should make his start against the Cleveland Indians on Monday.
CC Sabathia is not injured, but his opening day start against the Boston Red Sox left many scratching their heads. GM Brian Cashman thinks Sabathia’s velocity will return because he has a history of starting slow. But with the injuries piling up can the Yankees afford their main starter starting so slow?
It is only the first week of the season, but the Yankees should be worried. Baltimore appears to be blooming sooner than later and Boston is coming together real quick. Many think any team can win the AL East, but with the injuries the Yankees may take themselves out of contention soon.
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