The New York Yankees had a hot start to the 2015 season, starting off with a (13-9) record in the month of April. Once the calendar switched to May their season has changed drastically, going (9-10); but the injury bug is starting to bite the Yankees. Their first injury was a big one as it went to their Ace pitcher Masahiro Tanaka. Tanaka was diagnosed with wrist tendonitis. He was put on the disabled list on April 29th. Tanaka has opted to go for rehab rather than to undergo Tommy-John Surgery. On Wednesday May 20th, Masahiro Tanaka pitched in a rehab game and threw (45) pitches. The Yankees have talked about having Tanaka back sometime in June, but there has not been an official time table released for that. The Yankees than lost another pitcher in Chase Whitley. Whitley had to make an early exit in his last outing due to discomfort in his elbow. An MRI has revealed a partial tear of his UCL. After a second opinion Whitley has opted to undergo Tommy-John surgery, and will miss the rest of the 2015 season. After losing two pitchers, the Yankees than lost their Center-Fielder Jacoby Ellsbury on May 19th against the Washington Nationals with a knee injury. The New York Yankees are uncertain on when Ellsbury will return, but is headed to the 15-day disabled list. This is a big blow to the Yankee lineup as he leads the team with his batting average which is (.324), he is also the team leader in runs scored with (29); and (14) stolen bases.
While the Yankees are losing players due to injury, the players on the field just aren’t performing. In each of the Yankees losses in the month of May the Yankee offense has scored three runs or less. While the Yankee offense isn’t driving in runs, the Yankee pitching isn’t getting the job done as well; as the pitching staff is giving up five runs or more in each of the Yankee losses. Yankees left hander pitcher C.C. Sabathia isn’t having a season to remember. C.C. currently holds a record of (2-5) with an ERA of (4.67).
Despite having a poor month of May there is some positives for the Yankees. The Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez has been having a productive season so far. He has the second most Home-Runs on the team with (12), and is third in RBI’s with (22); and has scored (21) runs. Normally Yankee first baseman Mark Teixeira is generally known for having slow starts to the season and then having to go to the disabled list with injuries. Teixeira started a new diet over the offseason to help bring back his power hitting force to the Yankee lineup. The Diet has paid off as he is leading the Yankees in Home-Runs with (12), and RBI’s with (30).
After a hot start to the season and a poor month of May the Yankees hold a record of (22-19). With this record the Yankees are currently tied for first place in the American League East Division with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Brandon Glogau: PureSportsNY