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New York Yankees Lose Bryan Mitchell For At Least Four Months

By Kenneth Teape

Mar 30, 2016; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Bryan Mitchell (55) pitches during the eighth inning of a spring training baseball game against the Atlanta Braves at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 30, 2016; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Bryan Mitchell (55) pitches during the eighth inning of a spring training baseball game against the Atlanta Braves at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Yankees announced that relief pitcher Bryan Mitchell will miss at least four months to start the season because of surgery needed on a toe injury.

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The New York Yankees made a dream come true for Bryan Mitchell, as they told him that he had made the Opening Day roster and would be one of the 25-players to begin the season at the major league level. But, shortly after receiving the news, Mitchell’s dreams were crushed as he was injured in a Spring Training game.

Mitchell suffered an injury to his left big toe when covering first base. The injury was severe enough that the Yankees sent him back to Tampa Bay for testing last week. The results were not good, as Mitchell had to go under the knife and have surgery this week.

According to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, Mitchell will miss at least the first four months of the season. Manager Joe Girardi said that the surgery was performed on Monday and was diagnosed with Grade 3 turf toe and fracture of the sesamoid bone. “We have to find out exactly what that four months means. Is it: he can begin throwing? Or: he should be back?” Girardi said. “But it will be at least four months before we see him.”

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This is a blow for the Yankees, as they are already without Aroldis Chapman for the first 30 games of the season as he serves a suspension, and Andrew Miller suffered a fracture in his non-throwing wrist at the end of Spring Training. While Mitchell wasn’t expected to fill a late inning role, it is a role that will nonetheless have to be filled by someone else for a majority of the season.

Mitchell was expected to take over the role that Adam Warren, who was traded for Starlin Castro this offseason, filled for the Yankees last season as a swing man; someone that can give a spot start but also be used out of the bullpen. With a hole now opened on the roster, the Yankees added Luis Cessa to the 25-man roster, and he will have a chance to take over the role. Girardi also mentioned Ivan Nova, who lost out on the battle for a starting spot, would have a shot at the swing man role.

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Mitchell earned a spot on the team with his performance during the spring, so it is disappointed to see him have it taken away by an injury. Mitchell made six appearances in Spring Training, compiling a 2-0 record with 15 2/3 innings pitched and 0.57 ERA. He also struck out 12 batters while walking only three and allowing seven hits.

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