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When reports surfaced just over a week ago that the New York Yankees were on the brink of signing 2016 National League home run champion Chris Carter to a one-year deal, the path to a spot on the team’s opening day roster became a bit more difficult for first baseman Tyler Austin.
However, after fouling a ball off his left foot during batting practice earlier this week, Austin won’t even get an opportunity to earn his spot now. And just like that, the competition at first base has turned into a two-man duel between Carter and Greg Bird.
Yankees manager Joe Girardi told reporters Friday that the prospect will be out at least six weeks after fracturing his left foot. After reporting the injury on Thursday, an MRI Friday confirmed that Austin had a small navicular fracture on the foot.
“He was fighting for that first-base spot,” Girardi said, via Yankees.com. “It’s unfortunate.”
Austin will be in a walking boot for three weeks and won’t resume baseball activities for another three after that. The injury ends his chance to contend for a spot at first base, right field or off the bench.
This all but guarantees that Austin will start the season with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, waiting for his next opportunity to join the Bronx Bombers.
Austin appeared in 31 games for the Yankees last season after finding success at both Double-A Trenton and with the RailRiders. He batted .241 with five home runs and 12 RBIs.
Williams has flare-up
Yankees outfield prospect Mason Williams will also miss some time this spring. Williams, who spent time with the RailRiders last season, was diagnosed with left patella tendon inflammation and will be out two weeks. The 25-year-old spent part of July and August with the Triple-A squad, batting .296 with 23 RBIs in 31 games.
“(Williams) had it earlier this winter, it went away and now it has come back,” Girardi said. “He won’t be doing any baseball activity for a while. We’ll see. Hopefully it goes away in two weeks.”