The Yankees have had many injuries (yet again) early this season. Here are the latest reports from the guys on the 60-Day IL.
Player: Frankie Montas
Injury & Cause: Right shoulder inflammation
IL Since: Spring Training
Hopeful Return: End of season
The Yankees supposed strength in their having a really strong and deep rotation heading into the 2023 season was quickly being tested when Frankie Montas had to undergo shoulder surgery in the middle of February. This injury stemmed from issues he was having with the Oakland Athletics before the trade deadline, and followed him to New York after being dealt in a 6-player deal.
The surgery was performed by Dr. ElAttrache and went successfully as he arthroscopically clean up Montas' right labrum. This surgery has put doubts into Montas' ability to pitch in the 2023 season, although the righty is sure he will pitch in 2023. As of late last week, he is nearing clearance to begin a throwing program which could get him primed for a late-season debut.
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Player: Tommy Kahnle
Injury & Cause: Right biceps tendonitis
IL Since: Spring Training
Hopeful Return: Potentially May, Likely June
Tommy Kahnle has been hurt since pretty much 2020 when he had to get Tommy John Surgery, which took the entire 2021 to recover from. Last season, he sat out another 4 months due to elbow surgery and this year he's been dealing with right biceps tendonitis. He was shut down for the first time in early Spring Training and has suffered a few set-backs since, including needed a cortisone injection in late March.
This rehab could be over by the end of this month or early next month for Kahnle, whose throwing program has had him throwing from the mound for just over the past week. If all holds well, he should begin a minor league rehab assignment/make-up of Spring Training games soon.
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Player: Luis Gil
Injury & Cause: Tommy John Surgery
IL Since: Spring Training
Hopeful Return: Post All-Star Break
Remember Luis Gil and his great showing in 2021? That was a while ago in baseball years, but he could be making an appearance again during the second half of this season. After undergoing successful Tommy John surgery in May of 2022, it has been reported that his recovery and rehab have been going well. This has included Gil getting back to playing catch this past October and could result in a throwing program within the next month.
At one time he was considered a true contender for a back-end rotation spot with the Yankees as a rare pitching talent developed from the Yankees system, but expectations are going to be held back going forward. Hopefully he can pitch this year and then really try to break into the rotation again for 2024.
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Player: Jonathan Loaisiga
Injury & Cause: Bone spur in right elbow; surgery
IL Since: April 8th; Retroactive April 6th
Hopeful Return: August or September
Before a game on April 7th against the Baltimore Orioles, Jonathan Loaisiga was experiencing soreness in his right elbow and was unable to pitch without discomfort. The Yankees quickly acted, placed Loaisiga on the injured list and less than a month later discovered he needed to undergo surgery to remove a bone spur in his right elbow. This surgery took place on May 2nd and the Yankees were given a 3-to-6 week timeframe before Loaisiga would return to throwing.
Loaisiga has one of the most extensive injury histories of a player I can remember with an expected 4-5 months missed in 2023, nearly 2 months missed in 2022, about 2 months in 2021, 2 weeks in 2020, 3 months in 2019, and over 1 month in 2018. I feel bad for the guy, but the Yankees knew this is what they were getting when they acquired him in the first place...off the waiver wire, because he was hurt too often while in the San Francisco Giants system.
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Player: Lou Trivino
Injury & Cause: Tommy John Surgery
IL Since: March 30th; Retroactive to March 27th
Hopeful Return: 2024
Lou Trivino was an excellent piece in the bullpen for the Yankees and was the star of the Frankie Montas deal from last trade deadline. Problem is he won't see any game action in 2023. Towards the end of Spring Training, he was dealing with right elbow problems which shut him down temporarily. Then it got worse in April while trying to throw live batting practice. Upon a first consultation, it was recommended he undergo Tommy John surgery, an option that was reinforced during a second evaluation with another doctor.
Trivino's surgery was scheduled to take place on May 3rd, and there has been no information since then on his recovery. Hopefully it went successfully, but we'll have to wait and see. For now, it appears late 2024 is his target to return to the MLB.
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Player: Scott Effross
Injury & Cause: Tommy John Surgery
IL Since: Spring Training
Hopeful Return: 2024
The Yankees last trade deadline dealt from a perceived strength (upper minors starting pitchers) in order to bring in some already proven MLB talent. One of the more interesting moves was bringing in Effross, who has tons of control and was doing phenomenally well in the Chicago Cubs bullpen. In his time in New York, Effross was extremely good but an injury kept him from the postseason rosters as he needed to undergo Tommy John surgery, which went successfully in October of last year.
This season will be lost for Effross as the surgery had incredibly unfortunate timing with its 12+ month recovery timetable. The current goal is to shoot for 2024, which is a task going well as Effross had begun a throwing program in March and has been going very well since. He'll be a great player to return to the Yankees next season.
