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Spring training is finally upon us, and now we have updates on some of our favorite players. It should be an overall positive experience, until you find out that one of your favorite players was injured in a senseless act of violence. That’s the word new Yankees manager shared with the media today, as he announced that shortstop prospect Thairo Estrada was shot in the right hip last week during a robbery.
The incident took place in his home country of Venezuela, and the bullet is still said to be embedded in his body. All things considered, the 21-year-old and the Yankees organization appear to be optimistic about his chances to play this season. Estrada has still reported to spring training on time, and though he won’t be performing any baseball activities right now, he is still working out with the other players.
Boone announces that #Yankees prospect Thairo Estrada was shot once in right hip last week in Venezuela during a robbery attempt. Said he is in camp and doing well. Thinks will be able to play “bulk of season.”
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) February 16, 2018
Estrada spent the 2017 season in High-A Tampa where he hit .301/.353/.392 in over 500 plate appearances. Though he is certainly behind in the pecking order in top infield prospects, MLB.com still considers him the no. 16 prospect in the system. Estrada could use another big year in 2018 in order to solidify his status, so hopefully he will be able to return before too long.
Boone said Estrada was shot in a robbery attempt. He added that the bullet is still lodged in Estrada’s hip and he is dealing with some pain from the incision. Said Estrada is in a good frame of mind.
— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) February 16, 2018
The most important thing, though, is that Estrada is alive and relatively ok after this ordeal. He told reporters that the incident took place in a restaurant when two teenagers demanded cash or his phone. They shot him after he said he had neither.
Thairo Estrada said that he was walking into a restaurant when two teenagers demanded cash or his phone. When he said he had neither, they shot him in the right hip.
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) February 16, 2018
Hopefully Thairo Estrada will make a speedy recovering and be back on the field before too long. Let’s also hope the authorities catch whoever was responsible for this.