Kevin Youkilis’ season has gone from bad to worse, and it might not turn around any time soon.
Youkilis said he woke up Friday with numbness in his foot and calf area, and he’s since been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a back injury. The 34-year-old might not be quick to return once those 15 days are up, though. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman expressed some concern about the situation Monday.
“Back issues usually don’t get better,” Cashman told reporters. “They can, but they’re very debilitating and hard to get a handle on. It’s definitely a concern. As of right now, I’m not planning on him until they tell me I can plan on him.”
Cashman hardly sounds confident about Youkilis’ status, and his skepticism makes sense. Youkilis spent time on the shelf earlier this season, and he’s been limited to just 28 games, hitting .219 with two home runs and eight RBIs in that span.
Youkilis played all 18 innings a lengthy loss to the Athletics on Thursday before the numbness kicked in. It’s possible that the numbness means nerve damage, and that obviously isn’t anything to mess with.
“I can’t say I’m expecting bad news, good news or any news, but I just know he’s not the player that he can be because of the back right now,” Cashman said. “Are we going to be in a position to get that player back at some point throughout this season? It would be nice, but I just don’t know what the issue is and what’s possible.”
Youkilis’ season hasn’t gotten off the ground, and perhaps it never will.
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