Didi Gregorius’ violent collision with Toronto first baseman Kendrys Morales on Sunday could land the Yankees shortstop on the disabled list with a bruised left heel, although the team did not make a roster move on Monday’s off day before it opens a series in Miami on Tuesday.
But a pair of doctors said Monday that bruises in the area generally result in not running for a week or two, meaning a DL stint would be likely for Gregorius, who left Sunday’s game after the second inning.
“The bad part is you can’t put weight on it,’’ said Dr. Mark C. Drakos, foot and ankle surgeon at Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan. “But it’s better than if the bruise was on the balls of his feet, because athletes rely more on that area for running. In this case, it’s probably a matter of how much pain he’s in and when they’re able to protect him from getting worse.’’
The injury will likely be treated with ice and anti-inflammatories.
The loss of Gregorius would leave the Yankees with another sizable hole in their lineup, as Aaron Judge’s chip fracture in his right wrist is taking longer to heal than the team had hoped and Gary Sanchez remains out with a strained groin, although the catcher is expected to begin rehab games in Tampa this week.
While Austin Romine has filled in ably for Sanchez behind the plate, Sanchez’s absence — and a lack of available catchers on the trade market — has forced the Yankees to lean on Kyle Higashioka. Without Judge in right field, Neil Walker has been shaky defensively and Shane Robinson has performed miserably as the Yankees opted not to acquire a temporary replacement for the outfield from outside the organization.
If Gregorius is sidelined 10 days or more, Aaron Boone said Sunday that Gleyber Torres would shift from second base to shortstop and Walker could move back to second.
But that would risk playing Giancarlo Stanton in right field as he deals with a tight left hamstring. Stanton was expected to play one, if not both games, in Miami in right because there’s no DH in the NL park, but the ability to avoid playing him in the field has been beneficial and could be lost in the absence of Gregorius.
Torres, though, came up through the minors as a shortstop and has proven to be capable of playing the position, even since the Yankees moved him to second because of the presence of Gregorius. Torres’ production at the plate has tailed off dramatically since he suffered a hip injury last month, making the timing of Gregorius’ injury worse.
Asked Sunday about the potential transition back to short, Torres said he remains comfortable there and has taken grounders on occasion at Boone’s request when he’s wanted to give Gregorius a day off.
He last started at short Aug. 8 against the White Sox and has appeared in four games there this season.
Ronald Torreyes’ recent call-up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre will also allow Boone some flexibility.
After Gregorius left Sunday’s game, Torreyes entered and played second and had three hits in the win over the Blue Jays.
Still, no matter how well Torres does at short and Walker and Torreyes play at second, there’s no replacing Gregorius, who has hit well since July 31, going 22-for-69 with seven extra-base hits, seven walks and just eight strikeouts in 19 games.
That’s the player the Yankees want — and need — back.
Dr. Armin Tehrany, founder of Manhattan Orthopedic Care, said the bruise would impact all aspects of Gregorius’ game, so he needs to be comfortable he can play at full strength.
“He needs confidence that he can run and not suffer a setback,’’ Tehrany said. “If he comes back too soon, he could risk not running properly or having a setback. These injuries heal at their own pace, but it shouldn’t keep him out too long.’’