Stop us if you have heard this before – New York Yankees shortstop Troy Tulowitzki is injured, and likely going on the injured list.
The New York Yankees Injured List is essentially it’s own All Star team. With the likes of Miguel Andujar, Luis Severino, Giancarlo Stanton, and Aaron Hicks, amongst others, all sidelined, the Yankees slow start to the season is understandable. While New York has plenty of depth, it has been sorely tested in the early going.
That depth is getting another test. Oft injured shortstop Troy Tulowitzki is hurt once again; this time, leaving the game on Tuesday with a strained left calf. Chances are, he will also be joining the All Star team on the Injured List.
Boone said Tulo has a low grade strain of the left calf and will almost certainly head to the I.L.
— JackCurryYES (@JackCurryYES) April 3, 2019
The fact that Tulowitzki is injured is not that much of a surprise. He has only had three seasons with over 120 games since the start of 2012, and missed time every year. What is a surprise is that he managed to last longer than ten other players that are currently sidelined for the Yankees.
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Given that he had not played since 2017, it was not much of a surprise that Tulowitzki was off to a slow start this season. In his 13 plate appearances, he had only two hits and two walks. However, there was still some pop in his bat, as both of those hits went for extra bases – a double and a home run.
With Tulowitzki out, Gleybar Torres is now considered the top of the depth chart at short. However, he is also the starting second baseman, which means that DJ LeMahieu is taking over at the keystone. LeMahieu was already top the depth chart at third in the wake of Andujar’s injury, which now means that Tyler Wade finds himself in a starting role.
The next theoretical option for the Yankees would be to call up Thairo Estrada, the only infielder on the 40 man roster who is either not on the major league roster or injured. Gio Urshela, who is currently in AAA for the Yankees, could also be an option should they move a player to the 60 day IL. As Jacoby Ellsbury is only on the 10 day IL for now, he would be a likely candidate to be transferred should the Yankees want to bring in Urshela.
The New York Yankees depth is set to be tested once again. Troy Tulowitzki is already injured, and is likely to give the Yankees 11 players on the IL.