Yankees OF Dustin Fowler Injures Knee In MLB Debut, Likely Out Six Months Or More

New York Yankees outfielder Dustin Fowler suffered a severe knee injury in his major league debut on Thursday night in a 4-3 road loss to the Chicago White Sox.

Yankees’ Dustin Fowler Ruptures Patellar Tendon In MLB Debut, 4-3 Loss to White Sox

The 22-year-old rookie ruptured the patellar tendon in his right knee after colliding into the first-base-line rail at Guaranteed Rate Field in the first inning. Yankees trainer Steve Donohue attended to Fowler down the right-field line.

The Yankees announced that Fowler — who was set to lead off the second inning — would undergo surgery later that night at Chicago’s Rush University Medical Center. Joe Girardi revealed the right fielder was rushed to the hospital because medics were concerned about an infection. The manager admitted he cried upon seeing Fowler’s injury and said his estimated recovery time is six months or longer.

“I was in tears, actually,” Girardi said. “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.”

After his tumble, Fowler initially attempted to stand up, but instead he fell to the field again and displayed little emotion.

Fowler’s teammates both on the field and in the dugout were also all horrified at the newbie’s injury, which came before his first major-league at-bat.

“I was sick to my stomach,” said Yankees regular right fielder Aaron Judge, who served as designated hitter Thursday.

Girardi added that he believed an electrical box located at the top of the short wall was partially to blame for the gravity of Fowler’s injury.

“I’m not blaming the White Sox, but it is something that needs to be inspected,” said Girardi. “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.”

The manager also stated he hopes MLB develops plans to move the short walls in foul territory in the outfield. Girardi said plexiglass — like that used in hockey — should be considered as a replacement.

Fowler was drafted by the Yankees as an 18th-round pick in 2013. The left-handed batter hit .293 with 13 homers and 43 RBIs in 70 Triple-A games.

The youngster joins a long list of athletes, both in baseball and in other sports, to sustain a season-ending or otherwise severe injury in their professional debut.

Three White Sox players were injured in the summer of 2016 after playing less than one game: outfielders Jason Coats and Charlie Tilson and third baseman Matt Davidson. 

Coats left his debut in June early after a crash left him with a cut on his mouth that required stitches. Davidson exited his debut in July early with a fractured right foot while Tilson suffered a hamstring strain in the fifth inning of a game in August just days after he was acquired via a trade. Tilson was attempting to make a diving catch.

In March, the Cleveland Cavaliers lost Australian big man Andrew Bogut to a season-ending leg injury. The 32-year-old center and 2005 No. 1 overall draft pick suffered a left tibia rupture in his debut with the Cavs after colliding with an opponent Following the game, LeBron James said he “heard the break.”

The Yankees (42-35, 2nd in AL East) next travel to Houston on Friday for the opener of a three-game weekend series against the Astros. First pitch is scheduled for 8:10 pm EST.

CHICAGO, IL – JUNE 29: Dustin Fowler #34 of the New York Yankees sits on the ground after trying to catch a foul ball hit by Jose Abreu (not Pictured) of the Chicago White Sox. Fowler had to leave the game and was taken off the field on a cart, on June 29, 2017 at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)