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Yankees' Gary Sanchez to Undergo Offseason Surgery on Shoulder Injury

Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacekFeatured ColumnistNovember 8, 2018

New York Yankees' Gary Sanchez reacts after striking out against the Boston Red Sox during the fourth inning of Game 3 of baseball's American League Division Series, Monday, Oct. 8, 2018, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Frank Franklin II/Associated Press

New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez is going to use the offseason to take care of a nagging shoulder injury. 

According to Lindsey Adler of The Athletic, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Sanchez will undergo surgery on the shoulder that has been an issue since 2017.

The Associated Press noted the surgery will remove loose debris from the left shoulder and keep him out for approximately three months. That means he should be ready to go by Opening Day.

Sanchez played just 89 games during the 2018 season, missing significant time with a groin injury. He slashed .186/.291/.406 with 18 home runs and 53 RBI in a notable dropoff from his breakthrough 2017 campaign.

He was an All-Star and Silver Slugger winner in 2017 when he played 122 games and slashed .278/.345/.531 with 33 home runs and 90 RBI.

Ideally for the Yankees, Sanchez will return to that form in 2019 once he gets the lingering shoulder issue taken care of during the offseason. He is just 25 years old and figures to have a bright future ahead of him, especially after he already helped lead the Bronx Bombers to the playoffs in back-to-back years.

The timing of the procedure is ideal with the offseason just underway, as he should be back in plenty of time as New York looks to chase down the defending champion Boston Red Sox in 2019.