Yankees Playoff Odds Take Hit With Mark Teixeira Injury

The New York Yankees remained hopeful they’d be getting star slugger Mark Teixeira back in time to make a final push to win the AL East division title. As it turns out, they won’t be getting him back at all.

Teixeira exited the starting lineup with a shin issue just a little over a week ago and landed on the disabled list on September 4th. Mark Teixeira was initially meant to stay on the 15-day disabled list and the attempt a comeback, but a second look at his injured shin showed a fracture in his right leg. With three months looking like the recovery period, Teixeira’s season is officially over.

The news is devastating for a potent Yankees offense that badly needed to have a full lineup of healthy bats to feel good about making the 2015 MLB playoffs. New York remains within striking distance behind the Toronto Blue Jays (1.5 games out of first place) and can still make the playoffs via the wild card even if they don’t win the division. As close as the Yanks are to making a post-season run, however, this latest injury is a massive blow to one of the better offenses in the majors.

Mark Teixeira had battled some nagging issues earlier in the year but still was largely in the lineup when needed, as he appeared in 111 games and produced a staggering 31 home runs. While Teixeira only batted .255 on the year, he produced 79 RBI and was a huge reason why New York felt they could challenge what amounts to a better Toronto offense.

The Yanks will still have the rest of the month (included another late-September series vs the Jays) to figure things out and try to make a run, but their odds definitely take a hit without one of their star offensive players. Greg Bird will now secure a permanent spot in the starting lineup at First Base. Bird has been a pleasant surprise in just his second MLB season, as the 22-year old has smacked five homers and driven in 17 RBI in just 24 appearances.