Yankees injuries: Michael Pineda, Dustin Ackley, Mason Williams

Bad things come in threes. Over the last few years, the Yankees have been hit hard by the injury bug, but this year they have mostly survived. Unfortunately, it looks like the bug is catching up to them and making its presence known in a big way. Michael Pineda, on the disabled list for a strained flexor muscle, was believed to be out of action for only a few weeks. Now we have gotten word that Brian Cashman doesn't expect the right-hander to appear at all in the month of August. Instead, they will be hoping for a September return.

In a case of very bad timing, Dustin Ackley has been placed on the disabled list with what was originally announced as a right lumbar strain in his back. Now it turns out the former Mariners outfielder has a herniated disc that could end up requiring surgery if other measures don't prove to be successful:

Ackley had epidural. Yankees don't expect him back for 20-30 days. If epidural doesn't take surgery could be an option #yankees

— Meredith Marakovits (@M_Marakovits) August 4, 2015

Ackley has only made a handful of appearances so far after being a Yankee for just a few days. Hopefully this doesn't prove to be a long-term issue, otherwise people are going to be very unhappy that the Yankees gave up Ramon Flores and Jose Ramirez for a guy with a busted back. The Yankees have him under team control for another two years, but this is the same injury that effectively ended the career of Kevin Youkilis–also suffered while on the Yankees. So we'll see.

The last in a series of unfortunate injuries to be announced today is that Mason Williams will have season-ending surgery on his shoulder. The outfielder jammed his shoulder sliding back to first base in June and it was believed a few weeks of rehab would be all that was needed. Two months later and the 23-year-old is done for the season. It would have been nice to have him healthy after giving away Flores, but hopefully Slade Heathcott can return from the disabled list to provide adequate depth for the team. They also have Aaron Judge, Jake Cave, and Ben Gamel waiting in the wings, so this team isn't exactly hurting for backup outfielders at the moment.

In a bit more positive news, Jacob Lindgren will begin a throwing program next week and it is believed that he could return at some point this season. Eric Jagielo required a lateral meniscus scope to repair his right knee, but he's reported to be feeling much better now and will resume baseball activities in eight weeks. Ian Clarkin, who has been MIA all season long, is finally in a throwing program to rehab his elbow inflammation, but he does not currently require surgery.