Tyler Austin, the former New York Yankees infielder now playing in Japan, suffered a bizarre injury while changing his jersey, reportedly hurting his head in the process.
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Freak Injury Sidelines Former Yankees Prospect Tyler Austin
Former New York Yankees infielder Tyler Austin, now playing for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars in Japan's Central League, suffered a peculiar injury while changing his jersey.
According to Yahoo Japan, the incident occurred as Austin attempted to change his jersey after sliding headfirst into home plate and getting thrown out at the plate. He was forced to leave the game in the seventh inning as a result of the mishap.
Freak Injury Sidelines Former Yankees Prospect Tyler Austin
Yokohama currently occupies fourth place in the Central League standings, trailing the Yomiuri Giants, Hiroshima Toyo Carp, and Hanshin Tigers.
Austin, 33, was once considered a promising prospect in the Yankees' organization. Selected in the 13th round of the 2010 draft, he was ranked among the top 75 prospects prior to the 2013 season.
Despite his early potential, Austin never managed to establish himself as a regular with the Yankees. He was traded to the Minnesota Twins in July 2018 as part of a deal that sent pitcher Lance Lynn to New York.
Subsequently, Austin spent time with the Twins, San Francisco Giants, and Milwaukee Brewers before joining Yokohama in 2020. This season, he appears to have found his groove, batting .318 with 22 home runs and 60 RBI.
Austin's injury is a setback for the BayStars, who are hoping to make a push for the postseason. The team is currently 4.5 games behind the third-place Hanshin Tigers.
Austin is expected to undergo further medical evaluation to determine the extent of his injury. It is unclear how long he will be sidelined, but the BayStars will undoubtedly miss his contributions.
Throughout his career, Austin has demonstrated a solid bat, showcasing his power and contact skills. In 2018, he established a career-high with 15 home runs for the Yankees.
While Austin never reached the heights expected of him as a top prospect, he has carved out a respectable career for himself as a journeyman player. His unique injury, however, is a reminder of the unpredictable nature of sports.
The BayStars will hope that Austin can recover quickly and return to the lineup soon. His absence will undoubtedly be felt, but the team will look to other players to step up in his place.
