Another Injury, Another Promotion

I first saw Tyler Wade a year ago, when he was playing for the Yankees farm club in Trenton. And while he didn't come with the built-in buzz that other prospects carried, everything I read labeled him as a player with a strong future.
I got another look at Wade in March, while he was in Spring Training with the Yankees. A stretch just before his at bat -- and a nice looking bunt in a game at Orlando against the Braves. Wade was expected to spend all season in the minors -- before a hamstring injury to Starlin Castro on Monday night left the Yankees an infielder short. With Castro leaving the game against the White Sox in the 3rd inning, Rob Refsnyder took over in the field. But defense is the weakest part of his game. So Wade, batting .313 got "the call," news that the broadcast team shared with fans at home. He's expected in Chicago tonight and will likely fill in for Castro for at least a few days.
The injury bug has bitten the Yankees hard in the last couple of weeks: Jacoby Ellsbury just returned after being sidelined more than a month with a concussion and neck sprain. He took the place of Aaron Hicks, who could be out until August with an oblique injury. Gary Sanchez has also missed some time. Greg Bird has been lost nearly the entire season from foot and ankle problems. So Wade is not just "next man up," but another product of a farm system the Yankees continue to prioritize.

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