New York Yankees relief pitcher Chad Green had to leave Thursday’s game against the Baltimore Orioles in the middle of an at-bat.
That’s usually a bad omen: it means the player, in this case the right-hander, is badly hurt and can’t finish the at-bat.
That’s precisely what happened with Green: he couldn’t finish and had to be replaced.
The initial diagnosis is right forearm tightness, which is often the first step towards season-ending elbow surgery.
There hasn’t been an official, final diagnosis, but the Yankees are not hiding the fact they are scared about losing their prized reliever for the rest of the season (and possible more).
“Boone said there’s a fear that Chad Green’s injury is significant but they need to find out more,” Newsday’s Laura Albanese wrote on Twitter this afternoon.
Boone said there’s a fear that Chad Green’s injury is significant but they need to find out more.
— Laura Albanese (@AlbaneseLaura) May 20, 2022
The Yankees Are Fearing The Worst With Green’s Injury
The Yankees are probably running tests and imaging on Green’s arm as we discuss the injury.
Tommy John surgery would be a worst-case scenario, but unfortunately, it does appear to be still in play at this point.
We will have to wait for official confirmation, though, but it’s likely that the Yankees are getting a second or even a third opinion.
Their bullpen is top-notch, with guys such as Jonathan Loaisiga, Aroldis Chapman, Clay Holmes, Wandy Peralta, Clarke Schmidt, Lucas Luetge, and Miguel Castro, and lots of other arms waiting for an opportunity in the minor leagues.
But Green, who has a 3.00 ERA in 15 innings this year, is one of the best and most consistent bullpen arms the Yankees have produced in the last few years.
Hopefully, he can avoid a prolonged absence.
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