Granderson Out Approximately 10 Weeks After Fracturing Right Forearm
TAMPA, Fla. (CBSNewYork/AP) – Yankee outfielder Curtis Granderson will be out for approximately 10 weeks with a fractured right forearm after being plunked in his first spring training at-bat.
The three-time All-Star was hit by Toronto pitcher J.A. Happ on a 2-2 pitch. Granderson was immediately pulled from the game for X-rays which bared the break.
"Five pitches in we got a little setback," said Granderson, who was wearing a molded brace. "Now we rest, recovery, get it back, and get ready to play whenever that day comes."
The team said Granderson could be out 10 weeks, which means he'll miss about a month of the regular season.
"Mentally, you understand this is part of it, but at the same time now there's not much I can do about it except do the best things I can to not make it worse," Granderson said. Keep myself ready to go."
It's a major blow for the Yankees, who are already without Alex Rodriguez until at least the All-Star break. The Yankees also lost Nick Swisher to free agency.
Granderson led New York with 43 homers last season. The Yankees hit 245 homers last year and had five players with at least 20. This year they could open the season with just two players, Mark Teixeira and Robinson Cano, who topped 20.
Matt Diaz and Juan Rivera, in the competition for the fourth outfielder spot, could see increased playing time.
The Yankees were set to experiment with outfielders Granderson and Brett Gardner with a position swap during the exhibition match-up. Granderson worked out in left field last week and the speedy Gardner switched to centerfield.
Granderson played 157 games in center field in 2012. He played two games in left field in 2007 and 20 games in left field in 2005.
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