Yankees 2024 injury tracker: Which players are out and when might they return?
Pete CalderaUpdated May 1, this will be our gathering point for updates and timelines on Yankees players working back from injury throughout the 2024 season.
DJ LeMahieu
Position: Infielder.
Injury: Non-displaced fracture, right foot.
Estimated return: Mid-to-late May?
Summary: After undergoing an MRI and CT scan on April 24, LeMahieu was diagnosed with residual swelling and was prescribed rest and treatment through at least April 30.
LeMahieu will be evaluated "week-to-week,'' said manager Aaron Boone, who added on May 1 that LeMahieu felt "great'' and might soon resume baseball activities.
"Hopefully, it's a handful of days,'' said Boone, before LeMahieu is scheduled to resume a minor league rehab assignment.
The veteran infielder suffered a setback in his first rehab game April 23 for Class AA Somerset, exiting after one at-bat (strikeout) and one defensive inning at third base due to right foot discomfort.
In the original plan, LeMahieu was supposed to play four rehab games through April 28 before his possible activation.
LeMahieu was having a good spring training camp until fouling a ball off his right foot, March 16. A follow-up MRI detected the fracture atop his foot.
Nick Burdi
Position: Relief pitcher.
Injury: Right hip inflammation.
Estimated return: Early-to-mid May.
Summary: Burdi has resumed throwing off a mound and his latest session, April 30 at Class AA Somerset, went well. A rehab assignment may soon follow.
The right-hander was placed on the 15-day IL, retroactive to April 17, after feeling some discomfort with his final pitch at Toronto on April 16, during another scoreless outing.
The Yankees believe this to be a mild injury, but they're being cautious due to his lengthy injury history and the risk of altering his mechanics to compensate for the hip issue.
Gerrit Cole
Position: Starting pitcher.
Injury: Right elbow irritation.
Estimated return: June or July.
Summary: On April 30, Cole had a "heavy throw day'' on flat ground, and he appeared a few days away from pitching off a mound. But as of now, the "second spring training'' he'll require has yet to begin.
The right-handed ace began a throwing program on April 8, and by April 23 he was up to 120 feet and 50 tosses, progressing as anticipated.
During spring training, Cole had trouble recovering between starts. A battery of tests and a follow-up exam by Dr. Neal ElAttrache concluded that Cole had not suffered a UCL tear but required a period of rest.
Cole last pitched off a mound on March 7, during a simulated game at Steinbrenner Field.
Tommy Kahnle
Position: Relief pitcher.
Injury: Right shoulder discomfort.
Estimated return: Mid-to-late May?
Summary: Following a setback in his rehab at Tampa, Fla., Kahnle resumed bullpens in early April has been throwing to live batters at the Yankees' Florida complex.
The right-hander ended the 2023 season on the injured list due to right shoulder inflammation, and its lingering effects delayed Kahnle's start to spring training by about two weeks, before he was further delayed.
Jasson Dominguez
Position: Center fielder.
Injury: Reconstructive right elbow surgery rehab.
Estimated return: Late June, early July.
Summary: Nearly eight months since undergoing Tommy John surgery, the switch-hitting Dominguez is at Tampa, making throws up to 135 feet and was nearing participation in a minor league rehab assignment, roughly mid-to-late May.
Jon Berti
Position: Infielder.
Injury: Strained left groin.
Estimated return: May 7.
Summary: Berti began a minor league rehab assignment on April 28 and encountered back tightness, which kept him out of the May 1 game. Boone expressed hope that Berti could resume playing by May 3.
Placed on the IL retroactive to April 11, Berti was injured running out an infield hit during his last at-bat, April 10, against the Miami Marlins at Yankee Stadium.
Scott Effross
Position: Relief pitcher.
Injury: Recovery from back surgery.
Estimated return: After the All-Star break.
Summary: Rehabbing this offseason from Tommy John surgery, the right-hander was further delayed by a back procedure that developed during his ramp-up and his recovery has encountered some difficulty.
Lou Trivino
Position: Relief pitcher.
Injury: Reconstructive right elbow surgery rehab.
Estimated return: Midseason.
Summary: By the week of May 7, Trivino might be ready to resume throwing to live batters.
The right-hander underwent Tommy John surgery last May and was re-signed by the Yankees this past winter. He is rehabbing at Tampa, along with Effross.
Oswald Peraza
Position: Infielder.
Injury: Strained right shoulder.
Estimated return: Late May, early June.
Summary: Peraza resumed a throwing program in early April, after being shut down early in spring training due to shoulder inflammation.
JT Brubaker
Position: Starting pitcher.
Injury: Reconstructive right elbow surgery recovery.
Estimated return: Around midseason.
Summary: The right-hander underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2023, and was traded to the Yankees on March 29, in exchange for a player to be named later.
On April 30, the Yankees sent minor league infielder Keiner Delgado to Pittsburgh to complete the deal. Delgado, 20, was ranked as the Yanks' No. 20 prospect by MLB Pipeline.
Jonathan Loaisiga
Position: Right-handed reliever.
Injury: Right flexor strain.
Estimated return: 2025.
Summary: Loaisiga was suddenly diagnosed with a UCL tear and on April 5 was placed on the 60-day IL.
He underwent internal brace elbow surgery in April. The recovery time is 10-12 months.