The New York Yankees got word today that outfielder Gary Sheffield will likely miss at least four months of the season due to surgery he must have to repair a wrist injury he suffered in April.
Sheffield originally hurt the wrist when he collided at first base with Shea Hillenbrand of the Toronto Blue Jays on April 29. He missed three games, returned for two games and then went on the disabled list May 9 with a contusion and sprain of the wrist and missed 16 games.
The surgery is not expected to end Sheffield’s season, but he has already missed significant time this year due to the injury.
Sheffield joins a long list of injured Yankees, including fellow outfielders Hideki Matsui and Johnny Damon. Pitchers Shawn Chacon and Mariano Rivera have also missed time due to injuries for New York and just recently, Derek Jeter has missed three games with a thumb injury.
Now, perhaps more than ever, the Yankees are starting to rely on their farm team and aging veterans to fill the voids left by injuries.
Rookie Melky Cabrera has been starting many games recently by filling in for Matsui, Damon and Sheffield in the outfield. Long time starter now reserve, Bernie Williams, has also been getting plenty of action with so many Yankees on the shelf.
New York is still tops in their division, but any more setbacks and the Yankees may see a significant slide heading into the second half of the season.
