Mark Teixeira out for the season with fractured leg

The latest round of tests on Mark Teixeira's injured leg revealed the worst possible news for the Yankees' first baseman: a fracture that will end his season. Teixeira had been out since fouling a pitch off his shin that was originally believed to be just a bruise before the situation continued to not improve. The team sent Teixeira for an MRI on Friday that revealed a fracture they assume has been there all along that went undetected.

There had been hope until now that the Yankees' most promising hitter of the season would be able to return at some point. Teixeira was confident that he'd make it back into the lineup before that confidence faded once the injury remained painful, rendering him unable to walk. Now the team will have to fight for the division, and try to wade through the waters of the postseason, without one of their biggest bats.

Greg Bird's role with the team is now more important than ever, as he will have to hold his own in the lineup down the stretch while the Yankees try to catch and surpass the Blue Jays for the AL East crown. It's unfortunate that earlier tests were not able to diagnose the fracture so that the team could have clarity about Teixeira's status before now. Recovery time for the injury will be about three months.