:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72154466/1471891284.0.jpg "Harrison Bader injury update: When will Yankees OF return to lineup this season?")
The New York Yankees were expecting big things from Harrison Bader when they acquired him from the St. Louis Cardinals for Jordan Montgomery at the MLB trade deadline last season. Absent any other meaningful offensive additions, Bader seemed locked into a big role for 2023 as New York's center fielder (and potentially leadoff hitter).
But alas, Bader's injury history caught up with him again in Spring Training, as an oblique injury sidelined him almost immediately after ramping up baseball activities. If Bader can get back healthy, he carries big value as an elite defender who could also make a run at a 20/20 season at the plate, but it remains to be seen when that might be. The Yankees placed him on the injured list to start the year with the hope that he could be back in six to eight weeks.
Harrison Bader injury update
April 6 update – After taking swings in a pool last week, Bader has graduated to dry swings, per Max Goodman of the Newark Star-Ledger.
Harrison Bader took 25 dry swings today, Aaron Boone says.
“He was letting it rip and felt great.”
Bader continues to progress from his oblique strain and will eventually get into rehab games.
– Max Goodman (@MaxTGoodman) April 3, 2023