Just when the Yankees thought their injuries were over with, they found out that a top player -- who returned Sunday from the injured list -- has a new health issue.
After Tuesday's 8-0 win over the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium in New York, the team announced to reporters before manager Aaron Boone's postgame press conference that RHP Dellin Betances had suffered a partially torn Achilles.
Betances had just returned from the 60-day injured list in Sunday's 6-4 loss to the Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, striking out two through 0.2 innings.
"So when he jumped on the mound the other day, I think he came down a little awkwardly, didn't -- I don't think -- think anything of it, didn't even say anything at the time," said Boone, who indicated that Betances would not return for the postseason. "And when he came in today, was just sore, kind of going through some tests and then he couldn't do some things -- like kind of getting up on his tip toe on it, so we're going to hold him out and then we decide, 'All right, let's make sure we get some imaging of this,' and it revealed a partial tear.
"So obviously, heartbroken for Dellin and knowing him, working so hard to get back to this point to be a factor for us and having a successful debut for us the other day and now this. I know I haven't gotten to talk to him yet since the news. I heard the news during the game.
"But our heart goes out to him. Clearly, we've just got to pick him up and look forward to seeing him in here and know he'll support us like he always does."
Against the second batter of Sunday's game, Betances fired a strikeout on an 0-2 pitch and hopped off the mound's left side.
He did not appear to be in pain intially, smiling while flashing two fingers to the rest of his infield as the Yankees threw the ball around.
The Yankees then pulled Betances, who continued to smile as he entered the first base dugout and greeted his teammates.
This is the pitch #Yankees RP Dellin Betances injured his Achilles. #MLB pic.twitter.com/NIdmR5dVsT
- Open Table Sports (@OpenTableSports) September 18, 2019
"We've been one of the best teams in the sport all season and I would say our bullpen's been the overwhelming strength of this club -- and that doesn't change," Boone said. "There's no denying the impact that Dellin is. He's been one of the handful of best relievers in the game for several years now.
"So we know how great he is and what a difference maker he is, but we certainly have the people there to continue to have our bullpen be a strength and we'll just have to have Dellin's support from the side like he's been giving all year."
As of Tuesday, surgery is not recommended for Betances, but the procedure remains a possibility while he awaits his second opinion.
Dellin Betances has suffered a partial Achilles tear: pic.twitter.com/YtXLyshQsF
- Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) September 18, 2019
