iStock/Thinkstock(CHICAGO) — New York Yankees rookie outfielder Dustin Fowler suffered an open rupture of the patellar tendon in his right knee in his major league debut against the Chicago White Sox Thursday night.
Fowler, who was just called up to the Yankees earlier that day, was injured after running into a rail along the first base-line while chasing down a foul ball off the bat of Jose Abreu.
The young outfielder started in right field and was batting sixth in a game that began nearly three hours later than expected due to a rain delay. He was due to lead off in the second inning, but did not get a chance to bat, suffering the injury in the bottom of the first inning.
Fowler was on the ground for several minutes after hitting the rail. He tried to stay standing, but collapsed to the dirt. Manager Joe Girardi accompanied team trainer Steve Donahue as he attended to the Yankees’ prospect. Girardi just put his hands over his face, watching a stoic Fowler on the ground.
He called the injury “unfortunate,” expressing his sympathy for the rookie:
“I was in tears, actually… Because I know what it takes to get here and how hard he has worked and what is supposed to be a really exciting day for him turns into a really bad day. I’m still disbelief. I’m in tears for the kid.”
Girardi said Fowler’s season is over and believes recovery will take at least six months. He added that Fowler had to be taken to the hospital because doctors were worried about his knee getting infected. He would undergo surgery later in the night.
Afterwards, right fielder Aaron Judge told reporters he was “sick to his stomach.” Teammate Brett Gardner called the injury, “One of the worst things I’ve seen on a baseball field.”
Girardi blamed Fowler’s severe injury on what he described as an electrical box in the area of the wall, saying it needs to be inspected:
“I’m not blaming the White Sox, but it is something that needs to be inspected. It should’ve been padded or not put there or put lower because if the kid doesn’t hit the electrical box, he might still be hurt but my guess is he doesn’t rupture his patellar tendon.”
Fowler was promoted to the majors on short notice, so his parents could not make it to the game. They were planning to see him play the next day when the Yankees traveled to Houston.
Fowler batted .293 with 13 homers and 43 RBIs in 70 Triple-A games before his promotion according to ESPN.
New York ended up losing the game to the White Sox 4-3.
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