Key Highlights
- José Caballero’s right middle finger injury could sideline him for testing with an MRI.
- Caballero is frustrated and not in the lineup for the Yankees, scheduled to return home for further assessment.
- Yankees manager Aaron Boone expresses concern but notes Caballero’s ability to hit was unaffected during practice.
The Yankees are facing an uphill battle at the plate with José Caballero’s right middle finger injury. As of Monday, Caballero is in a state of frustration, flipping a pink Mother’s Day bat in the air, end over end, while approaching his locker at Camden Yards. Not only is he not in the lineup for the game against the Orioles, but his return to New York for testing on Tuesday marks an uncertain path forward.
What’s Next?
Caballero sustained the injury diving back into first base during a loss to the Brewers in Milwaukee. He’s been treated already, and the next step is an MRI to see what’s going on. The infielder doesn’t think it’s fractured but is clearly displeased with his current situation.
The Manager’s Take
Yankees manager Aaron Boone addressed Caballero’s injury, saying there are concerns but that hitting was good during practice. “For those of you who have been around Cabby, he’s as tough as they come,” Boone said. “He just had a little hard time when he went to throw today. The good thing is, hitting was good, so we’ll see.”
Alternatives in the Pipeline
If Caballero’s injury turns out to be only day-to-day, shortstop Max Schuemann will continue receiving starts as a replacement. But if it’s a longer-term issue, Anthony Volpe remains at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after being optioned from his minor league rehab assignment. Volpe has shown promise but hasn’t performed well in nine games so far.
Yankees fans might be hoping for Caballero to stay healthy, given his contributions. “He’s been such a good performer for us here to start the year,” Boone added.
Caballero’s versatility on both sides of the ball is crucial as the team navigates this latest setback in their season.
Will Caballero return to action soon? Only time and an MRI will tell. For now, the Yankees are counting on other players to step up and fill the void left by Caballero’s injury.
