This season, the Kings of October might lose their throne. Standing third with a record of 64-57 in the AL East, they still have a chance to make the playoffs. Where every at-bat, every pitch, and every injury might change the game. And now, when it matters the most, the Yankees’ slugger just took a hit. Is it serious? Well, Aaron Boone has finally answered.

The Yankees were ahead of the Twins 4–1 in the third inning on Tuesday night. And suddenly a gasp went through the stadium. In an instant, a normal defensive play turned into something scary, leaving fans and players alike frozen in fear. It was Yankees’ first baseman Paul Goldschmidt who was chasing Byron Buxton’s foul popup. He overran it but made the play. However, his leg slipped, causing discomfort, and he missed the Wednesday game against the Twins.

Manager Aaron Boone was later asked about his availability. He replied, “He hurt himself last night in the knee, so he wasn’t available tonight…..Hoping it could be an IL, it could be a day-to-day. We will just kind of see here over the next 24 hours, which way we will go with it.”

Goldschmidt inked a one-year, $12.5M deal with the NYY last December to strengthen the infield. And he’s been putting up decent numbers. He has a batting average of about .276, 40 RBIs, .753 OPS and 10 home runs. He is a dependable presence in a lineup that needs consistency to qualify for the playoffs.

While addressing the media, he recalled what happened on that play. “I kind of over-ran it and dove back, and hit my knee on the ground,” Goldschmidt said. “I felt that it was sore [Tuesday], but obviously I was able to play through it. As I was going back to my position, I was like, ‘That kind of hurt.’ Stuff like that happens.”

And when pressed about his injury, he was optimistic. “I don’t think it’s anything long-term, so I think that’s good,” Goldschmidt said. “That’s the really positive thing –– if it is a short-term thing, I feel really good about that.”

As teammate Cody Bellinger noted, losing Goldschmidt would affect more than his offense. “He’s a vacuum over there at first base as well. I really appreciate what he does on the defensive side. For me, it’s the quality ABs; he’s a true professional in every single at-bat.” 

And what Bellinger pointed out is somewhat true. In the very next game, his absence was felt as the Bronx lost the game.

Offense Goes Silent, Yankees Fall 4–1 Amid Goldschmidt Absence

Wednesday’s game against the Minnesota Twins seemed like déjà vu gone wrong. The Yankees had to wait for the rain to stop before they could start. Then Joe Ryan struck out seven batters and pitched 6 2/3 good innings. The only thing that got them going was Cody Bellinger’s solo home run. Other than that, their bats were quiet.

That one swing wasn’t enough at all. In the sixth, the Twins went crazy. Kody Clemens hit a two-run double, and then Royce Lewis hit an RBI hit that hit New York in the knee. The game suddenly changed, and the offense’s abrupt stillness was deafening.

The offensive fell apart when it needed to work together the most. And Goldschmidt’s absence made the lineup made it worse. They didn’t seem to get along, and the scoreboard showed it.

This one stings harder since the Yankees missed the chance to sweep and gain playoff ground. Yankee fans will hope Boone’s squad finds that missing spark—teamwork, timing, and a first-baseman presence—in St. Louis.