New York Yankees newly acquired centerfield Harrison Bader has said he will help his new team “win” once he recovers. The Yankees sent pitcher Jordan Montgomery to the St. Louis Cardinals to get the 28-year-old.
Bader, who was seen on the Yankees’ training ground, is currently on the injured list due to plantar fasciitis in his right foot. He received treatment a week before being traded to the Yankees, and he will be sidelined until he finishes his recovery.
Bader said he was grateful to be on the team’s roster. He said he could not wait to make an impactful play for his hometown team this season. Also, as a Yankees fan, Bader said that he wants to win a championship in the future and be named as a part of the team’s history.
“Just to be a part of this history means a lot,” Bader said. “I know what it stands for. I keep that in the back of my mind as I’m doing little movements and progressing back to being at a point where I can go run down balls in center field and win a championship.”
Bader opens up about injury
Bader has been dealing with his injury since the start of the season. He said manager Brian Cashman told him to focus on his recovery for the moment.
“I remember mentally what it’s like to feel good, but physically I haven’t felt it in a long time, just because it’s a nagging injury,” Bader said. “One thing Brian told me was to not rush it, which alleviates some pressure for sure.
“It’s been a tough year obviously, having to deal with the boot and everything, not being 100 percent healthy. But this organization does its homework, I can assure you that, and this is perfectly manageable. I’m just focused on getting back and helping this team win.”
Cashman said that Bader’s move was one of the most valuable for the team this season. He insisted Bader had the potential to become one of the top defensive CFs in the MLB when fully recovered.
Cashman predicted the 2021 NL Gold Glove winner would be delisted from the injured list before September.
“He provides a lot of lanes for us and our manager when he’s healthy. Certainly, we did a deep dive into his medicals, and there’s a lot of optimism and belief that sometime in September we’ll be able to unpack that present and deploy him,” he said.
Former Cardinals teammate Matt Carpenter has commented on Bader’s acquisition by the Yankees. He said Bader would be a prominent player once he recovers.
“I think Yankee fans are going to be amazed with the talent he has in center field. It is very special. … When he’s healthy, he’s going to be a force for us,” Carpenter said.
Bader played for six seasons for the Cardinals, who selected him in the third round of the 2015 MLB draft. In 2018, Bader finished sixth in the voting for NL Rookie of The Year. This season, Bader has played in 72 games and recorded a .256 batting average with a .673 OPS, 15 steals, 4.9 percent walk rates, and 17.8 percent strikeout rates.