BREAKING; Injury Crisis Continues in the Bronx: Yankees Hit with Another Major Injury Blow: Is This the End of Their Opening Day Hopes?

This injury update is exactly the kind of thing that drives New York Yankees fans crazy. Paul Goldschmidt, the 37-year-old first baseman and former National League MVP, was expected to return to action Wednesday after exiting Monday’s game with a back issue.

However, Yankees manager Aaron Boone made an unsettling change, pushing Goldschmidt’s return to Friday—if he gets through Thursday’s baseball activities without any issues. This adds another layer of uncertainty to what’s already been an injury-plagued spring training for the Yankees. With their recent injury history, even the slightest setbacks are raising alarms.

Goldschmidt had left Monday’s game after just three innings and told reporters he wasn’t concerned about missing Opening Day. Now, with just six days left before the Yankees kick off their season against the Milwaukee Brewers at Yankee Stadium, his return to spring training is delayed.

While his back issue might not seem major at the moment, at 37, any injury that lingers is cause for concern. The Yankees acquired Goldschmidt this offseason in hopes he would provide both offensive and defensive stability. While there’s still time for him to be ready for Opening Day, back issues can be tricky—especially for older players. And let’s face it, the Yankees haven’t exactly had good luck with injuries.

Paul Goldschmidt

Gerrit Cole is already out for the season following Tommy John surgery, Luis Gil is sidelined for months with a lat strain, and Clarke Schmidt might land on the injured list with a sore shoulder. Carlos Rodón remains a major question mark. And that’s just the pitching staff. Now, their starting first baseman is dealing with a back problem.

The Yankees desperately need Goldschmidt to be a key contributor to their offense. If this back issue persists—or worse, becomes a recurring problem—it could severely impact a lineup already missing Giancarlo Stanton, who is battling tendinitis in both elbows. For now, Boone and the Yankees are downplaying the situation. But if Goldschmidt isn’t back in the lineup by Friday, expect the alarm bells to start ringing a lot louder in the Bronx.