Yankees 2024 injury tracker: Which players are out and when might they return?
Updated May 22, this will be our gathering point for the latest news 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: May 28.
Summary: LeMahieu began a minor league rehab assignment on May 17 at Class AA Somerset, going 1-for-2 with an infield hit and playing a few innings at third base. He resumed playing on May 19, going 1-for-1 (single) with three walks, two runs and an RBI.
On May 21, the veteran infielder's rehab assignment was transferred to Class A Hudson Valley, where he went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a strikeout as the third baseman, playing six defensive innings.
According to manager Aaron Boone, LeMahieu is due to play again May 23, then with Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on May 24, and 26, before likely being activated for the May 28-30 series at Anaheim.
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.
LeMahieu suffered a setback in his first rehab game April 23 for Somerset, exiting after one at-bat (strikeout) and one defensive inning at third base due to right foot discomfort.
After undergoing an MRI and CT scan on April 24, LeMahieu was diagnosed with residual swelling and was prescribed rest and treatment through April 30.
Gerrit Cole
Position: Starting pitcher.
Injury: Right elbow irritation.
Estimated return: Late June, early July.
Summary: Cole threw to live batters on May 21 at Yankee Stadium, a significant step in his pitching rehab. He tossed a mix of 20 pitches and felt good about his outing.
The Yankees' ace is due to throw live again on May 26, possibly at the team's complex at Tampa, Fla., after which he might be ready to begin a minor league rehab assignment.
Cole began a throwing program on April 8, and he resumed throwing off a mound on May 4. His fifth bullpen was May 18, throwing 40 pitches at Yankee Stadium.
During spring training, Cole had trouble recovering between starts. Following a simulated game on March 7, Cole went through a battery of tests and a follow-up exam by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, concluding there was no UCL tear.
Tommy Kahnle
Position: Relief pitcher.
Injury: Right shoulder discomfort.
Estimated return: Activated on May 22.
Summary: "He's an impact reliever,'' Aaron Boone said of the right-hander, upon his return. "I wouldn't hesitate to use him in any situation.''
On May 8, Kahnle began a rehab assignment at Class A Tampa, tossing a scoreless inning with two strikeouts.
Kahnle followed up with a scoreless inning for Tampa on May 11, with one strikeout. His third outing was a scoreless inning with three strikeouts on May 14, at Class AA Somerset, and his fourth was another scoreless inning with three strikeouts for Somerset on May 16.
His fifth and final scheduled rehab appearance, May 19, was another shutout inning for Somerset with two strikeouts.
The right-hander ended the 2023 season on the injured list due to right shoulder inflammation. The lingering effects delayed Kahnle's start to spring training by about two weeks, and he was further set back by discomfort late in camp.
Jasson Dominguez
Position: Center fielder.
Injury: Reconstructive right elbow surgery rehab.
Estimated return: June.
Summary: Eight months since undergoing Tommy John surgery, the switch-hitting Dominguez began a minor league rehab assignment on May 14 at Class A Tampa. His rehab was transferred to Class AA Somerset on May 21.
Dominguez went 1-for-3 with a walk in his first rehab game, collecting a single off ex-Yankee Domingo German, who was signed earlier this year by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
In six rehab games through May 22, Dominguez was 5-for-21 with a double and five walks.
The plan is for Dominguez to serve as a designated hitter only for the first two weeks of his rehab, before playing the outfield. By that point, he could be transferred up the minor league chain.
Dominguez's return could potentially create a crowded outfield situation, but "hopefully it is a tough decision,'' said manager Aaron Boone. "That means good things are happening here. We’ll cross that bridge when we get there.''
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, Effross was further delayed by a back procedure that developed during his ramp-up and his recovery had encountered some difficulty.
On May 22, Boone said he was encouraged by the right-hander's progress, and that he is soon expected to pitch to live hitters at Tampa.
Lou Trivino
Position: Relief pitcher.
Injury: Reconstructive right elbow surgery rehab.
Estimated return: Midseason.
Summary: On May 12, it was revealed that Trivino is in the second week of a three-to-four week no-throw period, having experienced elbow/forearm discomfort during his ramp up.
The right-hander, who underwent Tommy John surgery last May and was re-signed by the Yankees this past winter, was recently examined by Dr. Neal ElAttrache and Yankees physician, Dr. Christopher Ahmad.
Ian Hamilton
Position: Relief pitcher.
Injury: COVID-19 list.
Estimated return: May 26.
Summary: The right-handed reliever reported flu-like symptoms prior to the May 19 game at Yankee Stadium and was eventually sent home. He was placed on the Covid IL retroactive to May 19.
Hamilton appeared back in the Yankees' clubhouse on May 22, and he's due to accompany the team on its West Coast trip, with the possibility of being activated toward the end of a Memorial Day weekend series at San Diego.
Oswald Peraza
Position: Infielder.
Injury: Strained right shoulder.
Estimated return: Returned May 20.
Summary: Peraza began a minor league rehab assignment on May 7. On May 19, the infielder was returned from the assignment, activated from the IL and optioned to Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
On May 18, Peraza's rehab was transferred to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, after he'd gone 2-for-16 (.125) with two home runs.
Peraza had resumed a throwing program in early April, after being shut down early in spring training due to shoulder inflammation.
Jorbit Vivas
Position: Second baseman.
Injury: Orbital fracture.
Estimated return: June.
Summary: On May 14, Vivas began a minor league rehab assignment with Class A Tampa, going 0-for-1 with two walks and playing second base. On May 21, his rehab was transferred to High-A Hudson Valley.
Vivas was originally injured during a spring training drill prior to a March 25 exhibition game.
JT Brubaker
Position: Starting pitcher.
Injury: Reconstructive right elbow surgery recovery.
Estimated return: Around midseason.
Summary: The right-hander pitched live to batters, including DJ LeMahieu, on May 11 at Tampa. He's progressing on the right timeline, according to Boone.
Brubaker 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.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Yankees injuries: Player injury news and return dates for 2024 season
