Bauers exits 1 play into Yankees debut -- but what a play

ARLINGTON -- Moments into his first game for the Yankees after being called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre earlier Saturday, Jake Bauers made a running catch on the warning track in left field that was equal parts skill, instinct, courage and recklessness. He slammed into the wall at full speed after making an extraordinary grab on Adolis García’s sinking line drive, almost certainly saving a run while ending the first inning.

Unfortunately for Bauers, the stellar play ended his night, too, and his effort was in vain anyway in a 2-0 loss to the Rangers at Globe Life Field. He was diagnosed with a right knee contusion, and his status is uncertain. X-rays performed during the game were negative, and Bauers will undergo further testing Sunday.

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“It feels all right. I’m walking on it all right. It’s just swollen,” Bauers said after the game. But it is “possible,” said manager Aaron Boone, that the Yankees will have to bring in another outfielder to replace Bauers.

“You obviously feel for him, earning his way up, and the start of the season he’s got off to down there [at Triple-A],” Boone said. “To have to come out in the first inning there is a little tough.”

Bauers’ right knee was the first thing to hit the wall in the violent collision, and his whiplashing head was the last. Bauers lay prone on the dirt for about three seconds before he meekly lifted his right arm to show that the ball was indeed still in his glove.

“I knew I was going down the line, caught it, thought I had room to slide; obviously the wall was right there, so …” Bauers said. “Tough -- tough to deal with. I think at the end of the day, everything happens for a reason. I might not always know what that reason is, but I’ll just try and keep my head up and see where we’re at tomorrow.”

After verifying he had the ball -- a move he told reporters he didn’t even remember doing -- Bauers rolled over on his back as the Yankees’ athletic trainers hurried toward him. Eventually, he was able to walk to the dugout. Both Bauers and Boone said there was no concern of a head injury.

“My wife might tell you that I have a head injury all the time,” Bauer joked, “but my head feels all right. I knew I hit my knee pretty hard. That’s really all I was worried about.”

Boone said the 27-year-old was “going off” at Triple-A prior to his promotion. He slashed .319/.460/.812 for the RailRiders, but he never even got a chance to hit Saturday. Aaron Hicks took Bauers’ place in left field when the Yankees went back out in the bottom of the second inning.

“He made a great play,” Hicks said. “He’s been doing great in Triple-A. To finally get that opportunity and to get hurt in the first game you play is rough. We definitely were rooting for him, and now that he’s hurt, it [stinks], especially when it’s somebody who grinded his way up.”

Hicks also made a fine catch in left field in the third inning, but the Yankees were blanked by Rangers starter Nathan Eovaldi. It was the first time New York has been shut out in 13 losses this season.