Benintendi has broken hamate bone, will need surgery

ST. PETERSBURG -- Now that Andrew Benintendi understands why he felt a pop in his right wrist this weekend, the Yankees' outfielder is hopeful that he can return to the lineup before the end of the regular season, aiming to participate in the postseason.

Benintendi has been diagnosed with a broken hook of the hamate bone in his right hand, an injury that will require surgery, manager Aaron Boone said after the Yankees’ 2-1 victory over the Rays on Sunday at Tropicana Field. The Yankees expect to have a clearer timetable for Benintendi’s potential return soon.

After Benintendi met with doctors Monday when the team returned to New York, the Yankees determined that the 28-year-old will have the surgery on Tuesday, after which they will be able to map out the stages for his potential return.

Benintendi sustained the injury on a third-inning swing in Friday’s 9-0 loss to the Rays. Initial X-rays came back negative, but there was additional concern because Benintendi felt a pop in his wrist. A CT scan revealed the break, and Benintendi is now wearing a protective air cast.

It is an injury that Benintendi has some familiarity with. He broke the hamate bone of his right hand during his freshman year at the University of Arkansas, then had the bone removed. To his surprise, it appears that part of the bone either remained or grew back, and now is again an issue.

“When I went through this before, it was right around a couple of weeks,” Benintendi said. “We’ll see what happens. Obviously, I want to get back out there in time for the latter part of the season and then, hopefully, the playoffs. It’s all too early to say right now.”

Boone also has experience with the procedure, which he underwent in 2001, and said that he expects it will not be a season-ending situation for Benintendi.

“Everyone's different. Every surgery heals a little bit different,” Boone said. “[But] no, I think the possibility of him returning is still in play. You just never know how surgery and the healing goes.”

When Benintendi landed on the 10-day injured list on Saturday, the Yankees recalled outfielder Estevan Florial from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Benintendi's absence could mean increased at-bats for Oswaldo Cabrera, Aaron Hicks or Tim Locastro, at least in the short term.

Giancarlo Stanton is on the active roster but has not played the outfield since returning from the injured list on Aug. 25. Harrison Bader, acquired from the Cardinals on Aug. 2, is nearing a Minor League rehab assignment and could be a factor later this month.

"We'll just mix and match," Boone said. "Hopefully, it creates an opportunity for someone that kicks the door in."

Benintendi was an American League All-Star this season with the Royals and was acquired by the Yankees prior to the Aug. 2 Trade Deadline in exchange for Minor Leaguers Chandler Champlain, T.J. Sikkema and Beck Way.

In 33 games with New York, Benintendi has batted .246/.323/.395 (28-for-114) with nine doubles, one triple, two home runs and 13 RBIs.