Gary Sanchez heading to crowded Injury List for Yanks

As if things couldn't get harder for the Yankees in the early season, the Bombers have placed catcher Gary Sanchez on the injury list with a strained calf.

Sanchez is now the 12th Yankee to spend time of the IL already this season. The injury comes after manager Aaron Boone played it cautious with Sanchez the past couple of days, slotting him to the designated hitter spot on Tuesday and benching him on Wednesday.

Injuries are nothing new for Sanchez, who suffered a groin injury last season which cost him a large chunk of the season.

After hitting .186 last season in 89 games with many questioning his commitment, this was an important year for Sanchez, and he got off to a good start. Through 11 games, Sanchez was hitting .268 with six homers and 11 RBI. Without his powerful bat in lineup the Yankees will be down to only Aaron Judge in the middle of the order with Giancarlo Stanton still on the shelf with a left biceps strain.

Of course the news could be worse. The Yankees are already looking at the prospect of Miguel Andujar missing the entire season with a labrum tear in his elbow, and starting pitcher Luis Severino now out through July with a lat strain.

The good news, CC Sabathia who has recovered from heart surgery is expected back in the Yankee rotation on Saturday.