MEXICO CITY — Estadio Alfredo Harp Helu had a lively atmosphere on Monday night when Oscar Gonzalez fouled a pitcher to the face in the bottom of the second inning and was eventually diagnosed with a right orbital fracture. was.
The Yankees outfielder immediately fell to the ground in pain, and Diablos Rojos catcher Jose Briceño waved to the visiting dugout.
Boone and two trainers jumped out to tend to Gonzalez, but Gonzalez eventually got up and then walked to a cart and took him off the field on his own.
Gonzalez was taken to a local hospital for further evaluation, and preliminary tests revealed an orbital fracture.
The Yankees said he was hospitalized overnight for observation and rest, and follow-up imaging is scheduled for Tuesday.
The Double-A trainer was scheduled to stay with Gonzalez in Mexico City while the team headed to Houston.
“That’s scary,” Boone said. “I wish him all the best. I know he’s getting great care. One thing I’m sure of. [trainer Alfonso Malaguti] When he was debriefing me after the game, I just asked him about the care.he was sure of that [Gonzalez] I received excellent care. We believe he is safe here and wish him a speedy recovery. But it was clearly a harsh way to end his spring. ”
Boone said Malaguti “appeared to rule out a concussion” before Gonzalez underwent X-rays and a CT scan.
Gonzalez, who was reassigned to minor league camp earlier in the day, could head to Triple-A once he’s healthy.
This spring, the former Guardian played in 16 games and posted a .333 batting average and .945 OPS.
“I told him before the game. [he’s] He’s a guy that’s definitely going to help us,” Boone said. “I feel like he’s a better player this spring than I’ve seen him before and he’s growing as a player.”
The Yankees’ initial 26-man roster is nearly complete, but the club is leaving the door open to outside reinforcements for Thursday’s season opener.
The team arrived in Houston on Monday night, partly from Tampa and partly from Mexico City, with right-handers Clayton Beater and Nick Burdy arriving after beating out internal competition for the final two bullpen spots.
Second baseman/left fielder Jermai Jones and third catcher Ben Roltvedt had tentatively filled the remaining two bench spots, but there was a move to add a backup shortstop, possibly by Thursday, and Roltvedt Vette (who is not a minor league option) will likely be used. So.
“We’ll see what happens day by day,” Boone said Monday.
Both in the bullpen and on the bench, the Yankees are expected to explore outside options in the coming days as players are removed from the roster or opt out of contracts elsewhere.
“We’re working on all of that right now,” general manager Brian Cashman said Monday afternoon of the final bench spot. “There’s always the possibility of trades, picks, opt-outs, things like that. We’re evaluating that area there. We have a few days.
“Maybe we’ll go to Houston. We’ll talk to some of the players and say, ‘You beat out the internal guys, you’re going to join us in Houston, but we’re not going to officially join the team until we’re exhausted. There are no guarantees.” There are no better options out there. ” ”
Burdi has impressed team officials with his high-level content since the start of camp.
Injuries have plagued him, including two Tommy John surgeries and surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome, but he reduced the arm defect during the offseason, which helped him recover this spring.
Beater is developing as a starter, but Boone said he could use length out of the bullpen or pitch in leverage situations.
“It really showed me that I could have more confidence and trust in myself,” Beater, acquired from the Dodgers for Joey Gallo, said of his first major league camp.
The Yankees sent infielders Kevin Smith and Jose Rojas, infielder/catcher Luis Torrence, outfielders Gonzalez and Greg Allen, and relievers Dennis Santana and Yerry de los Santos to minor league camp on Monday. By rearranging the roster, roster decisions were made clearer.
Boone said he expects Santana, who will opt out July 1, to make an impact on the big league team this season.
Anthony Rizzo returned to the lineup for Monday’s final Grapefruit League game in Tampa after missing three days with latissimus dorsi strain.
Boone said he finished the game feeling good.
Infield prospect Jorvit Vivas was held out of Monday’s game in Tampa after sustaining a facial contusion during pregame practice.
The team said Vivas underwent a concussion test, which came back negative, but was taken to a local hospital for further testing.
On Monday, top prospect Spencer Jones was named the recipient of the James P. Dawson Award, given annually to the Yankees’ most outstanding rookie at spring training.
The 22-year-old center fielder, who is expected to start the season at Double-A, has played in 13 games this spring, hitting .444 with a 1.305 OPS.
— Additional reporter Joel Sherman of Tampa
