Power Ranking the New York Yankees' Injuries Based on Impact, Significance

Injuries are a big part of professional sports.

Whether they're on the PUP list or headed to the DL, losing a player to injury impacts both the team and the organization the athlete plays for.

The Yankees lost Brett Gardner, so they went out and traded for Ichiro. Injuries can change team strategy and mindset.

When a player goes down, a good season can go downhill quickly.

The Yankees have had their fair share of injuries so far this summer, but what injuries have impacted them the most?

Here’s a list ranking the Bronx Bombers’ injuries based on their impact and the significance to the organization.

11. Brad Meyers (60-Day DL)

Not to be confused with Brett Myers, Brad Meyers is a relatively unknown reliever for the Yankees. 

Since May 29, he has been on the DL with a right shoulder strain.

He has appeared in one game with the Tampa Yankees, where gave up seven earned runs in 1.3 innings of work.

So you may be asking why this guy is even on the list.

The answer is his potential.

Last summer he rose through the Washington Nationals system to Triple-A Syracuse, where he had a solid 3.48 ERA.

In the dog days of summer, it never hurts to have an arm like Meyers' to come up for September call-ups and help out.

The ‘pen is always looking for help in September, and the Yankees could've used Meyers.

10. David Aardsma (60-Day DL)

Brian Cashman signed David Aardsma this past winter with the mindset that Aardsma most likely wouldn’t contribute until 2013.

And he was right.

Aardsma, a former closer most recently with the Seattle Mariners, has yet to step on the mound in the Bronx.

With Rivera gone, Cory Wade demoted, and Joba Chamberlain having a sub-par return, the Yankees could use a lights-out option to complement Soriano and Robertson.

Although Aardsma might not be exactly lights-out coming off of Tommy John surgery, it remains to be seen if he can return to his 2010 form, where he had 31 saves and a 3.44 ERA.

As with any team, arms are in short supply, and Aardsma would provide a boost to the bullpen.

9. Michael Pineda (60-Day DL)

The Yankees biggest offseason move—trading Jesus Montero to Seattle for Michael Pineda—has looked questionable all season. 

But now, Pineda is struggling to stay focused and has yet to even put on the pinstripes. Early Monday morning, Pineda was pulled over and arrested for DUI.

If the Yankees had Pineda in the rotation, they could have arguably the best rotation in the American League.

Pineda struck out 173 batters last season in 171 innings, and at 23, he has time to continue to develop.

But his injury has hurt both the Yankees and Pineda, who is now more distant from the team than ever.

8. Cesar Cabral (60-Day DL)

Cesar Cabral is another young lefty in the Yankees’ system that could’ve made it to the big show. 

Cabral gave up only 15 earned runs in 38.1 innings last season in Double-A Portland.

With a stress fracture in his left elbow though, Cabral isn’t going to see the field until next year.

He is another talented young arm that the Yankees could use to bolster their bullpen.

Having young pitchers like Cabral get the opportunity to come up in September and give the bullpen a break can help the pitcher develop and also give a much needed rest to relievers.

Cabral is a promising young pitcher, and his absence limits the organization’s amount of left-handed pitchers coming out of the ‘pen.

7. Pedro Feliciano (60-Day DL)

Brian Cashman’s $8 million investment in Pedro Feliciano before the 2011 season may pay off this September. 

Feliciano, a 35-year-old lefty reliever, had shoulder surgery in September of 2011 after signing with the Yankees.

Feliciano is the last and the highest ranked of the lefty relievers on the DL for the Yankees because he brings both experience and success to the table.

In his past two seasons with the Mets, Feliciano had an ERA under four, while giving up a combined eight home runs in 122 innings pitched.

Feliciano knows New York and what it takes to play in the Big Apple.

Although Boone Logan and Clay Rapada have been doing a decent job on lefties this season, Feliciano can come in and make an immediate impact.

6. Mariano Rivera (60-Day DL)

After tearing his ACL earlier this season, almost every rumor about Mariano Rivera’s future surfaced. 

Either he was coming back in September or he was retiring, or he was coming back next season. All of the scenarios were said to be possible.

But the Yankees haven’t flinched since losing the best closer in baseball.

Why?

Rafael Soriano has stepped in and has done a phenomenal job. And that’s why Rivera is only ranked sixth on the list of most impactful injuries on the Yankees.

Potentially, his absence could’ve turned the Yankees’ season into a downfall, but that didn’t happen.

It would be great to have Mo back on the bump, but for now, Soriano is doing just fine.

5. Austin Romine (60-Day DL)

Although Austin Romine has only played nine games in the Bronx, his back injury is very important to the Yankees. 

After trading away their catcher of the future in Montero, the Yankees had Romine next in line and he could’ve been knocking at the door this season (see Russell Martin and his batting average).

But now after missing most of the summer, Romine has lost critical time to develop and possibly work his way into the starting lineup in New York.

The Yankees are going to need a catcher in the future, especially if Russell Martin continues to hit under the Mendoza Line.

Romine was supposed to be next in line behind the dish, but he obviously isn’t ready to make an impact this season.

If Romine doesn’t develop soon after losing most of this year to injury, the Yankees can potentially be in serious trouble behind the plate.

4. Andy Pettitte (60-Day DL)

After a season off, Andy Pettitte decided that he still had an appetite for playing in the big leagues, and with good reason (he had 3 wins and a 3.22 ERA this season). 

But the injury bug bit him in the ankle, putting the 40-year-old on the DL and in a boot.

Pettitte’s return from retirement gave the Yankees a boost in their rotation, and someone to count on besides Sabathia or Kuroda.

But with Pettitte gone, the rotation took a turn to the unreliable, with Phil Hughes and Freddy Garcia struggling to find consistency this summer.

He brings reliability to a rotation that lost Michael Pineda early, and CC Sabathia twice already as well.

Pettitte is expected to possibly return in September, and the Yankees need him.

If they want to win playoff games, Andy Pettitte will need to be in the rotation.

3. Brett Gardner (60-Day DL)

With Ichiro Suzuki coming over the Yankees, you might be surprised that Gardner is ranked so high on this list. 

But don’t underestimate Brett Gardner.

It's true that Ichiro is a solid fill in, and provides some speed to an offense that has stolen only 65 bases this year.

But both on the base path and in the field, Gardner’s speed and athleticism are game changers.

Over the past two seasons, Gardner averaged 48 steals per year. This season, Ichiro has swiped only 19 bases.

Beyond speed though, Gardner is a patient hitter and knows how to get on base and score runs.

In the field, the combination of Gardner and Curtis Granderson makes it much harder to hit a gap in left field.

Gardner is a big piece to the puzzle for Joe Girardi, and Ichiro is only a quick fix to Gardner’s absence.

2. Alex Rodriguez (15-Day DL)

Although A-Rod hasn’t been having the dominant type of season he is used to having, his absence is still being felt by the Yankees. 

Rodriguez is a solid fielder at the hot corner with only six errors last season, and seven the season before.

But let’s get to what A-Rod is really known for: his hitting.

Although Eric Chavez and Casey McGehee have combined for 25 hits this August in replacement of Rodriguez, the Yankees are still missing having A-Rod in the lineup.

He might not be hitting home runs every at bat, but Rodriguez’s presence alone affects every game he plays in.

Without him in the lineup, the Yankees lose a No. 3 or 4 bat in the order and some speed on the bases (Rodriguez leads the team in steals with 11).

The Bombers have stayed afloat so far this August, but when October comes calling, the Yankees are going to need A-Rod if they want to go back to the World Series.

Think what you want about Rodriguez’s lack of success in past postseasons.

The fact is that the Yankees need him.

1. CC Sabathia (15-Day DL)

Carsten Charles Sabathia has been the glue that holds the Yankees together, at least on the field every five days. 

Off the field Derek Jeter is obviously the undisputed leader, but Sabathia is the ace of the Yankees staff and has been ever since the Yankees acquired him.

Sabathia’s trip to the DL may have been overly cautious, but it was necessary because without the 6’6" southpaw, the Yankees won’t be able to win in October.

Over the past three seasons, Sabathia has won over 18 games each year and posted an ERA under 3.40.

Beyond the numbers though, the fact is that C.C. is their ace in the hole. He is the guy Girardi goes to when the Yankees need to win a big game.

Without Sabathia, and with Pettitte on the DL as well, the Yankees have only one reliable starter in Hiroki Kuroda.

Even though Sabathia could be back Friday, he has a massive impact to the team and any time he misses on the DL can be costly for the Yankees.