Billy McKinney exits game with shoulder injury

The Yankees took another blow to their outfield depth on Saturday afternoon. Left fielder Billy McKinney, chasing a Josh Donaldson line drive, crashed into the Rogers Centre wall. He made direct contact to the scoreboard, banging both his shoulder and head. He protested to remain in the game, but Aaron Boone removed him one batter later. Brett Gardner took over left field duties with Aaron Judge patrolling center.

McKinney, 23, was called up just yesterday to replace the injured Aaron Hicks. He went 1-for-4 on the night. It’s a tough break for the young outfielder. His at-bats looked great. Now he has to deal with a possible injury.

According to Meredith Marakovits, McKinney suffered a sprained shoulder. The X-rays done, however, came back negative. The Yankees have yet to place him on the disabled list. More information figures to be made available later tonight or tomorrow.

Our own Josh Diemert is at the Rogers Centre, and he reported back that the crash was particularly loud. “Human beings shouldn’t sound like that,” he explained. The replay footage backs this up. It is not a pretty sight.

If McKinney does need to go on the disabled list, he would join fellow outfielders Clint Frazier, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Aaron Hicks. While Ellsbury is on his way back, that depth is razor thin now. Here’s hoping it’s nothing major.