Gio Urshela Still Out Of Yankees' Starting Lineup With Shin Injury

New York Yankees third baseman Gio Urshela is still out of the starting lineup, nursing a shin injury after a hit by pitch against the Kansas City Royals

Max Goodman | Jun 24, 2021

NEW YORK — Two days after getting hit by a pitch on his left shin, the same leg where he's battled a knee injury this season, Gio Urshela remains on the sidelines.

The Yankees third baseman went down hard in the seventh inning on Tuesday night, getting plunked by a wild slider from Royals lefty Jake Brentz. Shaken up on the play, Urshela would stay in the game, but not for long.

Aaron Boone comes out to check on Gio Urshela as he gets hit in the leg with a pitch. Gio eventually laughed about it while standing on first base pic.twitter.com/smQXPLjYsF
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) June 23, 2021

Visibly in pain as he jogged off the field each inning from that point on, Urshela was eventually relieved for a pinch runner after singling in the bottom of the ninth.

The next morning, Yankees manager Aaron Boone revealed that X-rays came back negative on Urshela's shin. While he was hopeful the injury won't keep the defensive wizard out for long, Boone understood that some soreness would likely hold Urshela down for the time being.

On Thursday, Boone elected to keep the third baseman out of the lineup for a second straight game.

"I just saw him in the training room and he's getting treatment," the manager said. "Definitely feeling a little bit better today, but still not ready to put him in the lineup."

Gio Urshela is getting treatment and "definitely feeling a little bit better," but Aaron Boone isn't ready to put him in the starting lineup.

He said Urshela was available as a pinch-hitter last night, but doesn't want him running the bases yet. It's a similar situation today.
— Max Goodman (@MaxTGoodman) June 24, 2021

Urshela could come off the bench later in the game, a rubber match against Kansas City. It would only be for a pinch-hit opportunity, though.

Earlier this season, Urshela missed a few games after a diving play at the hot corner, resulting in some swelling in his left knee. He never landed on the injured list, but has been working back to a clean bill of health ever since.

Banged up or not, Urshela continues to produce this season, proving his breakout campaign in 2019 was far from a fluke. Over 64 games, the third baseman is hitting .273 (66-for-242) with 31 RBI, 24 runs, 12 doubles and nine home runs.

Depending on how his treatment goes, Urshela will likely be available for Boone over the weekend as New York travels to face the Red Sox at Fenway Park for the first time this season.

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Published Jun 24, 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.