Injury Problems and Poor Performances Shakes up the AL East

OAKLAND, CA - APRIL 20: Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Matt Shoemaker (34) gets assistance on the field after injuring his knee in a pick off play during the game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Oakland Athletics on Saturday, April 20, 2019 at O.co Coliseum in Oakland, California. (Photo by Douglas Stringer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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New York Yankees shortstop Troy Tulowitzki

(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Coming into the 2019 season, both the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees were slated to fight over the top spot in the AL East, with the Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles fighting for last. With a barrage of injuries on both teams and the Tampa Bay Rays leading the charge, how will the season shape up in this powerhouse division?

While the 2018 season was a bit disappointing for Yankees fans, they were fielding a bit of a different team going into 2019 compared to the year prior. Some infield additions in D.J. LeMahieu and Troy Tulowitzki were going to bolster the young team with some veteran influence in a tough AL East division.

Infielder Didi Gregorius and pitcher Jordan Montgomery were not going to return until the all-star break and next season (respectively) with both recovering from Tommy John surgery, and this looked to be the only serious injuries on the squad.

And then the injury bug flew into New York City’s team in pinstripes. First, it was star reliever Dellin Betances and starting pitcher Luis Severino; two key arms in the Yankees pitching corps. This injury was followed by newly extended outfielder Aaron Hicks, who went down with a back injury.

Then the talented young infielder Miguel Andujar tore a muscle in his shoulder and will be sidelined until May at the earliest. Backstop Gary Sanchez would then be put onto the injured list as well.

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