Dellin Betances Officially Shut Down Again With Lat Strain

The New York Yankees have seen an endless list of key contributors land on the injured list in the first two months of the season, but the case of Dellin Betances has arguably been the most infuriating.

Each time, the flame-throwing reliever appeared imminent to return to Aaron Boone's bullpen, he suffered a setback.

And on Tuesday, it got worse. After defeating the New York Mets in the first hand of a Subway Series doubleheader, Boone told post-game reporters that the club is shutting down the four-time All-Star for a few weeks due to a low-grade lat strain.

Dellin Betances has a low-grade lat strain and will be “shut down for a couple of weeks,” Aaron Boone said. “He’s still going to play a big role for us this year, just a little later on.”
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) June 11, 2019

The news may come as a shock to some as it comes just three days after Dellin had his shoulder examined by team doctors after being too sore to throw a scheduled bullpen.

The source of the lat injury has yet to be determined but this is just terrible news for a pitcher dying to get back on the mound.

Dellin Betances, who was recovering from a shoulder injury when he suffered a setback, has a low grade lat strain and will be shut down for a few weeks, per Aaron Boone.
— James Wagner (@ByJamesWagner) June 11, 2019

The seven-year vet hasn't pitched this season since being placed on the IL in spring training with a right shoulder impingement. Add the ever-persistent lat strain to the mix and Yankees fans absolutely have cause to panic.

Going another few weeks without throwing a baseball, its fair to assume that the 31-year-old will not return to the big league's until well after the All-Star break.