Brian Cashman provided an update on Dellin Betances Friday night, and it wasn't a positive one.
Betances will get a cortisone shot in his shoulder on Saturday and will be shut down for three weeks, meaning he won't be able to return to the Yankees' active roster for six-to-seven weeks.
The shot will be where there's inflammation around a pre-existing bone spur. Betances returned to New York after struggling during a simulated game on Thursday. Cashman said their team physician is optimistic that the injection will resolve the issue.
"On a scale of good news vs. bad news, it could've been much worse news," Cashman said.
It is a big blow to a Yankees team decimated by injuries and whose high-priced bullpen has had some hiccups.
"Dellin's a great pitcher, one of the elite relievers in the league. So there's no question that's a blow," Aarone Boone said. "He's important to what we do, but in the meantime we've got to make sure we're working really hard to make sure we get our couple of guys that have really strong track records on track."
The news comes on the same day the Yankees put Gary Sanchez on the injured list with a calf strain.