by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (3/16/2013) Yankees prospect Slade Heathcott, who is dealing with patellar tendinitis, was sent to minor league camp on Saturday, the Journal News reported.
“He needs to go down there and get healthy and play,” manager Joe Girardi said.
Slade Heathcott battling patellar tendinitis
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (3/15/2013) The Journal News reported Friday that Yankees prospect Slade Heathcott is battling a patellar tendinitis injury. Heathcott, who is the No. 63 prospect, according to Baseball America, is batting .200 (2 for 10) with three walks and an RBI this spring. At this point, he is unsure when he'll be able to return to the field.
Heathcott not an option yet
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (2/25/2013) Yankees manager Joe Girardi told reporters Monday the team is “not looking for a long-term solution” while Curtis Granderson misses the start of the season due to a fractured forearm. Girardi seemed to be leaning toward non-roster invitees Matt Diaz and Juan Rivera to potentially platoon in left field while Granderson recovers. Girardi added Melky Mesa is the best defensive option to replace Granderson and Zolio Almonte could also figure into the team's plans. Mesa and Almonte are already on the 40-man roster. Girardi made it clear, however, prospects Slade Heathcott and Tyler Austin will not be in the mix.
Heathcott tied to Williams
(2/5/2013) Yankees senior vice president of baseball operations Mark Newman said on Tuesday that will be interesting to see if outfield prospects Slade Heathcott and Mason Williams can take the next step this season. Heathcott enjoyed his best season of pro ball in 2012, batting .302 with five home runs, 29 RBI and 19 stolen bases at Class A, but had his campaign cut short due to a shoulder injury. "At some point in the not too distant future, they will be [together]," Newman said. "We have two legitimate center fielders in Williams and Heathcott. That will be an interesting developmental issue -- how we allocate the center-field time -- but we're not there yet. They can both fly. They both hit left-handed. They both throw well. Slade's got more power, but Mason has hit for a better average to this point."
