First career injury for Yankees legend; two Mr Fragiles drag on

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David Cone, who avoided injury during his Yankees days, suffered a hamstring injury while Stanton and LeMahieu continue to make slow strides.

As the Yankees completed an impressive sweep against the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday evening at Yankee Stadium. However, an unexpected incident in the commentary booth created a sideshow — one featuring Yankees icon and broadcaster David Cone.

During the sixth frame of the contest, Cone, working alongside Michael Kay and Paul O’Neill on the Prime Video broadcast, suddenly jumped from his chair mid-commentary in obvious pain, clutching his leg in distress.

“Oh, man. I got a little hammy! Oh, man, right in the belly of my hamstring,” Cone said, responding to what seemed to be a sudden muscle spasm. Laughter erupted in the booth as the moment was replayed, with Cone quipping, “It’s just a clown show up here. I’m sorry, folks.”

The Bronx experienced particularly windy and cold conditions that night, perfect for triggering muscle cramps. The irony wasn’t lost that Cone never experienced a hamstring injury throughout his illustrious 17-year major league career, which included 450 appearances and five World Series championships.

Despite the amusing booth drama, the Yankees handled their business on the diamond, securing a 4-3 victory to finish the sweep. Aaron Judge delivered the decisive blow with a go-ahead homer in the seventh, while the relief corps locked down the win. The squad departed later that evening for Tampa to begin a four-game series with the Rays, starting Thursday at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

LeMahieu making gradual progress

As the Yankees continue their campaign without key veterans DJ LeMahieu and Giancarlo Stanton, both players are gradually working toward rejoining the active roster.

LeMahieu, who has been absent since sustaining a left calf strain on March 1 during his second spring training at-bat, is approaching the beginning of his rehabilitation assignment. Manager Aaron Boone confirmed Thursday that the third baseman has participated in live batting sessions and initiated fieldwork. The organization anticipates LeMahieu starting a rehab stint potentially by Sunday, with Tuesday also being considered due to the minor-league scheduled day off on Monday.

“I know he’s done some live BPs and even played in the field a little bit,” Boone told reporters pregame. “I think he’s getting an extended game potentially this weekend. We’ll see whether that leads into a Sunday or Tuesday start.”

The Yankees intend to use the rehabilitation assignment as a comprehensive spring training-style buildup, considering how early the injury occurred in March. LeMahieu’s comeback would significantly strengthen the infield depth and enhance lineup flexibility.

Stanton following a more conservative path

In contrast, Giancarlo Stanton remains on a more extended timeline. The power hitter has been contending with bilateral elbow tendinitis that disrupted his offseason conditioning program as early as January. He has recently resumed swinging, taking practice cuts against a high-velocity pitching machine using sponge balls.

Stanton has been working out at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa but typically arrives before team transportation and leaves early. It remains uncertain whether he’s also utilizing the Yankees’ nearby Player Development Complex to further his recovery.

“I don’t think one month (for full recovery), but probably inside of two months,” NJ.com’s Bob Klapisch cited Boone tellingon Stanton’s return. “G’s going to need a full ramp-up (in a rehab assignment), but he’s getting there.”

This indicates he won’t be available at least until mid-June.

Stanton competed through much of last season while managing elbow discomfort, though he still delivered an impressive postseason performance with seven home runs and 16 RBIs across 14 games. The Yankees are hopeful that rest combined with a measured ramp-up will restore his power-hitting capabilities.

Yankees’ odd road trip in home territory

With Tropicana Field unavailable due to hurricane damage, the Yankees are operating as the visiting team for a four-game series at their spring training home in Tampa. The venue, temporarily reconfigured for the Rays, now displays Tampa Bay colors and insignia throughout, creating an unusual yet recognizable setting for the Bronx Bombers, who already claimed victory in the opening game of the series.

Aaron Boone mentioned that the team welcomed the transition to warmer conditions and fresh surroundings, even if the dugout felt like opposition territory.

Boone remarked that the team was eager to disembark into warmer weather and experience the new setting, acknowledging that while it might feel a bit unfamiliar, the change was something the players were embracing with enthusiasm.

Between activities on the field and in the broadcast booth, the Yankees provided entertainment for fans in multiple ways this week. David Cone’s unexpected muscle cramp brought levity to a chilly evening, while updates on DJ LeMahieu and Giancarlo Stanton offered optimism regarding future roster reinforcements.

With the Yankees gaining momentum in the standings and player comebacks on the horizon, the organization seems well-positioned to overcome both injuries and unexpected broadcast incidents. One certainty remains: excitement never wanes when following the Bronx Bombers.

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