Zack Britton’s stroll to the dugout with New York Yankees trainer Steve Donahue in Game 3 of the ALDS did not lead to the IL.
When Zack Britton walked carefully off the mound in ALDS Game 3, New York Yankees fans were likely unsurprised. The notorious 2019 injury bug appeared to have followed the Bombers into the postseason.
However, the next man up can go ahead and sit back down.
Following the Yankees ALDS clinching victory on Monday, Britton said he’s ready to take his heavy sinker to the ALCS:
Zack Britton is OK after jamming his ankle covering 1B on a close play in the infield: "It shouldn't be anything that bothers me going forward." pic.twitter.com/PV9gdtJA89
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) October 8, 2019
Britton suffered the near injury on a close play at first base in the seventh inning, when he barely beat Minnesota Twins’ shortstop Jorge Polanco to first base for a putout. Despite the scare, Britton returned for the eighth frame.
After serving up a dinger to Eddie Rosario, Britton decided to save himself for more important games:
“We were talking about it in the dugout. I told them I wanted to go back out and at least save Chappy and get a hitter or two,’’ Britton told reporters, including northjersey.com’s Pete Caldera. “I made a mistake on Rosario, then I felt after I got (Mitch) Garver out – me and Gary (Sanchez) were talking – (that) this game was too important for me to be out there and not feel like I was 100 percent.”
The home run by Rosario was the only hit Britton allowed in 2.1 innings against Minnesota in the ALDS. It was only the fourth long ball the lefty has allowed in 63.2 innings overall in 2019.
Losing Britton would be devastating to New York, a team that obviously hopes to snag a championship via its bullpen. No Yanks starter even sniffed the sixth inning during the team’s ALDS sweep.
For now, though, fans can expect Britton to be there when the Yankees play either the Houston Astros or the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALCS.
