Carlos Beltran Injury: Updates on Yankees Star's Head and Return

Updates from Friday, July 18

MLB.com's Bryan Hoch reports Beltran is back:

Original Text

The New York Yankees placed outfielder Carlos Beltran on the concussion-specific disabled list Thursday and recalled Yangervis Solarte after Beltran was injured prior to Wednesday's game in batting practice.    

The Yankees did not confirm Beltran had a concussion, but his move to the disabled list was a necessary precaution. Erik Boland of Newsday broke the story just hours prior to the first pitch at Progressive Field:

Beltran, 37, was a late scratch to Wednesday's 5-4 win over the Cleveland Indians after being hit in the face with a ball during batting practice. X-rays revealed two fractured bones in his face and a possible concussion.  

"I don't know what the team's going to do," Beltran told Brendan Kuty of NJ.com. "With the concussion thing, I know teams take that serious. I don't think I have that. But at the end of the day it's not my decision."

Beltran, who has mostly moved into a designated hitter role this season and occasionally plays outfield, will not be eligible to return for seven days. That takes him out of the Yankees' lineup through the All-Star break—a move that may not be the worst thing for the Bronx Bombers given Beltran's struggles in 2014.

A National League All-Star each of the last three seasons, Beltran has struggled mightily in his return to the Big Apple. He's hitting .216/.271/.401 with nine home runs and 28 RBI in 61 games thus far. He is currently on pace for his first WAR below zero, per FanGraphs.

Beltran is in his first of a three-year deal he signed with the Yankees this winter. He previously spent parts of seven seasons with the crosstown rival Mets.

Expected to bring life to a dormant Yankees lineup, Beltran and catcher Brian McCann have been two of baseball's biggest disappointments. New York currently sits below the league average in nearly every major offensive category.

Beltran himself has battled through multiple fits and starts, including a bone spurs injury in his foot that nearly cost him a month of action. Freak injuries happen, and this is far from Beltran's fault. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. 

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

At age 37 and with mileage starting to add up, though, there has been some understandable speculation about whether Beltran's contract will join the long list of Yankees overpays. We're still way too early in the rodeo for that, but Joe Girardi and Co. are undoubtedly hoping this break allows him to come back for a strong second half.

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