New York Yankees outfielder Oscar Gonzalez suffered a frightening injury during a spring training exhibition game in Mexico City. In the second inning against Diablos Rojos, Gonzalez fouled a ball off his face, causing his helmet to come off. He was treated at the ballpark for a right eye contusion and then taken to a hospital for further evaluation, where it was determined he had suffered a right orbital fracture. Gonzalez, a non-roster invitee for spring training, had been performing well, hitting .326 with an OPS of .889.
Gonzalez, originally signed by the Cleveland Guardians as an international free agent in 2014, made his debut in 2022 and played 91 games, hitting .296 with 11 home runs. In the following season, he played in 54 games with a .214 batting average, two homers, and 12 RBI. The Yankees claimed Gonzalez off waivers in December to add depth to their outfield. However, it is uncertain where Gonzalez will begin his season, with Fangraphs predicting he might miss out on the 26-man roster due to his injury.
The injury to Gonzalez occurred as he was at bat and fouled a ball off his face, resulting in a right orbital fracture. Despite being a non-roster invitee for spring training, Gonzalez had been performing impressively, going 15-for-46 with a home run and seven RBI. The incident underscores the dangers that players face in the sport of baseball, where fast-moving balls can cause serious injuries. The Yankees will have to reevaluate their outfield depth with Gonzalez potentially sidelined due to the injury.
The Dominican Republic native had signed as an international free agent with the Cleveland Guardians in 2014 before making his MLB debut in 2022. Gonzalez showed promising potential in his first year, hitting .296 with 11 home runs in 91 games. However, his performance declined in the following season, with a batting average of .214, two home runs, and 12 RBI in 54 games. The Yankees saw an opportunity to bolster their outfield by claiming Gonzalez off waivers in December.
The Yankees organization will need to adjust their plans for the upcoming season as Gonzalez’s injury could impact his availability for the initial roster. While the team was hoping to utilize his skills and depth in the outfield, they may need to explore alternative options to fill the gap left by his potential absence. As the baseball community rallies around Gonzalez and wishes him a speedy recovery, the incident serves as a reminder of the physical risks and challenges that players face in pursuit of their passion for the game. The Associated Press contributed to the report on Gonzalez’s injury, highlighting the seriousness of the situation and the uncertainty surrounding his return to play.
