Yankees Place Darren O'Day Back on Injured List

New York Yankees RP Darren O'Day is headed to the injured list with a left hamstring strain one week after returning to the bullpen from a rotator cuff injury

Max Goodman | Jul 6, 2021

Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

SEATTLE — One week after making his long-awaited return from a shoulder injury, Darren O'Day is headed back to the injured list.

O'Day was placed back on the IL with a left hamstring strain before first pitch of New York's series-opening contest in Seattle against the Mariners, the team announced.

In his place, right-hander Nick Nelson was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

O'Day made 10 appearances at the start of the season before landing on the injured list with a right rotator cuff strain. It took the veteran just over two months to rejoin the big-league club, officially returning on June 29 after his rehab assignment.

Just like that, Darren O'Day is back on the injured list.#Yankees just announced O’Day has been placed on the 10-day IL with a left hamstring strain. Nick Nelson was recalled in his place.
— Max Goodman (@MaxTGoodman) July 7, 2021

The sidearmer threw on June 30 against the Angels before pitching in Game 2 of Sunday's doubleheader against the Mets. Now, who knows when the right-hander will be back in the bullpen, a unit that's been banged up and inconsistent of late.

Closer Aroldis Chapman has struggled, left-hander Zack Britton is still working back from his own hamstring strain and others—like Justin Wilson and Wandy Peralta—were recently sidelined due to injury.

Placed on the IL on Tuesday, O'Day won't be eligible to rejoin the team until after the All-Star break. The pressure is on for manager Aaron Boone to find a balance between using his other high-leverage relievers and making sure he doesn't burn them out with half a season to play.

Published Jul 6, 2021

MAX GOODMAN

Max Goodman covers the New York Yankees for Sports Illustrated and FanNation. Goodman has been on the Yankees beat for three seasons. He is also the publisher of Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Jets site, Jets Country. Before starting Inside The Pinstripes, Goodman attended Northwestern University and the Medill School of Journalism. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Master’s Degree in Sports Media, graduating in 2019. At school, Goodman was an anchor and reporter with NNN SportsNight and played on the club baseball team. While at Northwestern, Goodman interned with MLB.com as an associate reporter covering the Miami Marlins. He also interned with ESPN, working as an associate reporter on Mike Greenberg's Get Up. Goodman is from New York City. He grew up in Hell's Kitchen. Follow Goodman on Twitter @MaxTGoodman. You can connect with him via email by reaching out at maxgoodmansports@gmail.com.