Zimmer exits early after all-out catch attempt
Center fielder leaves with left shoulder contusion, but expects to play Sunday
NEW YORK -- Bradley Zimmer sold out to make a catch in the seventh inning of the Indians' 5-2 loss to the Yankees on Saturday, and it led to a violent crash into the center-field wall at Yankee Stadium. Zimmer left the game with a left shoulder contusion, but the injury is not expected to cost him much time.
"I think he's OK," Indians manager Terry Francona said after Saturday's loss. "He said he's going to play tomorrow. Certainly, we'll see how he wakes up, but I think he's OK. He hit that wall pretty hard."
With one out in the seventh and the Yankees holding a 4-2 lead, Austin Romine sent a deep drive to center, where Zimmer sprinted hard and closed in fast on the dropping fly ball. Zimmer jumped at the warning track and got his glove on the baseball, but he slammed hard into the wall before tumbling to the ground.
Romine wound up with a double on a play that came with a 37-percent catch probability, per Statcast™.
Zimmer was slow to get to his feet and he was met in center by one of the Indians' athletic trainers and manager Terry Francona. Still grimacing in discomfort, Zimmer talked things over before walking off the field. Tyler Naquin, who started in right on Saturday, replaced Zimmer in center, and Brandon Guyer entered to man right field.
"Unreal," Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor said of Zimmer's effort. "It's what he does best. He goes after balls, regardless of where the wall is. He plays hard. He runs the bases hard. He does everything the right way. It was too bad he didn't catch it, but I'm glad he's OK."