CLEVELAND — Carlos Beltran’s miserable first season as a Yankee got worse Wednesday when he suffered two facial fractures when a batted ball he hit in the indoor cage caromed off the bottom of a screen and bounced back into his face, hitting him on the right side of his nose.
Beltran was a little over an hour away from returning to the lineup after missing the previous two games due to a hamstring tendon problem behind his right knee.
According to Beltran, the Yankees’ medical staff is concerned about the fractures and a possible concussion.
“Hopefully I wake up [Thursday] and there are no headaches,’’ said Beltran, whose headache had lessened by the time the Yankees’ 5-4 win over the Indians in 14 innings was complete. He also felt dizzy after the ball hit his head. “I feel good. I have to shake it off and move forward.’’
“I don’t know what it means,’’ said manager Joe Girardi, who didn’t know what awaits Beltran Thursday.
Late Tuesday afternoon, the struggling Beltran said of his leg problem, “I feel a lot better,’’ and said he was available to pinch-hit Monday and Tuesday if he had been needed. According to Girardi, Beltran wasn’t available for any action, and is being treated with anti-inflammatory medicine.
Prior to Wednesday night’s game, Girardi was asked how important it was not only to get Beltran back but have him develop into the middle-of-the-order presence the Yankees believed they were getting when they dropped a three-year, $45 million contract on the 37-year-old outfielder who has been the regular DH since coming off the disabled list June 5. He went on the DL May 13 with a spur in the right elbow.
“I think it’s extremely important,” Girardi said. “I thought he was swinging the bat better the last week before this little incident. Hopefully, that is the sign that he is going now.’’
Girardi was referencing Beltran having eight hits in his past 30 at-bats (.267) but Beltran is in a 2-for-15 (.133) funk.
Beltran’s first year in pinstripes has been a production nightmare. He is batting .216 with nine homers and 28 RBIs, and the numbers in the clutch are worse. With runners in scoring position, he is at .156 (10-for-64).
When Brett Gardner felt discomfort in his lower abdomen Tuesday night, he thought it might be a hernia, but was relieved Wednesday to say it wasn’t.
“I got checked out by the doctor after the game and he seemed to think it was definitely not a hernia,’’ said Gardner, who wasn’t in Wednesday night’s lineup. “It could be a very light muscle strain. Actually it feels a lot better (Wednesday) than it did (Tuesday). I expect to be in the lineup tomorrow. I will see the doctor (Wednesday night) simply because he is here but I feel a lot better.’’
Zoilo Almonte, who was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to take Masahiro Tanaka’s roster spot, made a sensational catch in left field for the final out of the Yankees’ victory Wednesday, as he robbed Michael Brantley of a game-tying extra-base hit with a catch while his back was to the infield.
Girardi’s original plan was to rest Derek Jeter Wednesday night because he had played in 13 of the previous 14 games at short, but he ended up as the DH after Beltran got hurt. Jeter started Wednesday night’s action in a 5-for-29 (.172) slump, and went 2-for-6.
Brendan Ryan made his 10th start at short. He was 0-for-5 and struck out four times.
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