New York Yankees fans are eagerly awaiting the return of center fielder Harrison Bader from his left oblique strain injury. Bader was acquired by the Yankees from the St. Louis Cardinals at the MLB trade deadline last season and was expected to play a big role in the team's offense this year.
Unfortunately, Bader suffered an oblique injury during spring training, and the Yankees placed him on their injury list with hopes that he could return within six to eight weeks. Bader's injury history is a concern, but if he can get healthy, he has the potential to be an elite defender and a threat at the plate.
When is Harrison Bader expected to return?
According to reports, Harrison Bader has made some progress with his recovery and has been taking swings both in a pool and dry. The initial timeline for his return would put him on track for a rehab assignment in mid-April, with a possible return to the Yankees by the end of the month.
In Bader's absence, Oswaldo Cabrera is expected to benefit, though the Yankees could also turn to Aaron Hicks, if necessary. Bader has been working on his reactions in the outfield during batting practice over the weekend, and he reportedly feels great after taking 25 dry swings on April 5.
News of Harrison Bader’s recovery sure put a smile on Yankees fans as the team is expected to achieve great results in the 2023 season. While the AL East is a highly-competitive division, a fully healthy roster from the Yankees could help them become serious contenders come October.
While Yankees are surely anxious about Bader's return, it's important to remember that oblique injuries can be slow to heal, and rushing back too soon could lead to setbacks. The team will need to be patient and wait for Bader to be fully healthy before bringing him back into the lineup.
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