New York Yankees utility man Tyler Austin has suffered a fracture after fouling a ball off his left foot during batting practice.
New York Yankees young 1B/OF Tyler Austin has suffered a small fracture after fouling a ball off his left foot in batting practice.
According to Sweeny Murti of WFAN, the 25-year old is out for at least six weeks and will not be competing for an Opening Day roster spot.
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In 31 games last season, Austin slashed .241/.300/.458 with an OPS of .758 and five home runs. Despite striking out in 43% of his total at-bats, New York’s 13th round pick of the 2010 draft went 6-for-12 with two home runs in his last five games.
Now, taking Austin’s place as Greg Bird’s insurance policy will be the reigning National League home run leader, Chris Carter. After signing the one-year, $3.5 million contract with New York, he made Austin’s competition for that job more contentious.
Now that Austin won’t resume baseball activities for six weeks, however, he’ll not only obtain that position as backup first baseman, but the signing itself seems like a genius move.