The New York Yankees might be staring down yet another injury headache in a spring plagued by constant health setbacks for their key players. According to MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch, first baseman Paul Goldschmidt left Monday’s spring training clash with the Toronto Blue Jays after only three innings due to a nagging back soreness.
Reports suggest Goldschmidt has been quietly battling this issue for several days. However, the slugger downplayed any alarm, explaining his early exit was a precaution—he’s not worried about being ready for Opening Day on March 27 and didn’t want to risk aggravating his back.
“I’ve had some minor back soreness, so [Aaron Boone] decided to pull me after three innings,” Goldschmidt told Hoch. “I can handle a few innings—could’ve even gone the full game—but in Spring Training, it’s about playing it safe. No point in pushing it and making it worse.”
Still, another pre-season injury is the last thing the Yankees need. Goldschmidt, who inked a hefty one-year, $12 million deal with New York after a standout run with the St. Louis Cardinals, is a cornerstone of their offense, stepping in for the departed Juan Soto and the sidelined Giancarlo Stanton.
While the likely future Hall of Famer’s stats have slipped over the past two years, he’s only two seasons removed from a career-high, MVP-winning performance. If the Yankees can coax even three-quarters of that magic out of him, it’d be a game-changer. But with questions already swirling about his durability heading into 2025, this back trouble isn’t exactly a promising omen.
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