The New York Yankees encountered another unexpected setback on Wednesday after third baseman Ryan McMahon was unable to begin his scheduled rehabilitation assignment with Double-A Somerset. What was expected to be an important step toward his return instead turned into a brief delay because of an illness unrelated to his previous injury.
McMahon had been slated to suit up for the Somerset Patriots at TD Bank Ballpark as part of his recovery process. The appearance would have marked his first game action since being placed on the injured list, giving both the player and the organization an opportunity to evaluate his readiness for a return to the major league roster.
Instead, the Yankees opted to keep McMahon out of action after he developed food poisoning. While the illness is considered temporary, it forced the club to adjust its plans and postpone the start of his rehab assignment by at least one day.
Although the delay was unexpected, the organization remains optimistic that it will have only a minimal impact on McMahon’s overall recovery timeline. If he recovers quickly, the Yankees still expect him to resume baseball activities and continue progressing toward rejoining the team.
1. Illness Forces Change in Yankees’ Plans
The Yankees had carefully mapped out McMahon’s rehabilitation schedule before Wednesday’s unexpected development. Their plan called for him to begin live game action with Somerset as he worked his way back from the injured list.
However, shortly before the scheduled game, the club determined that McMahon was suffering from food poisoning. Rather than risk worsening his condition, the Yankees decided it was best to delay his return until he was fully recovered.
The postponement came as a surprise because McMahon had already completed much of the recovery process from his original medical issue. The organization viewed the rehab assignment as the next major milestone before his anticipated activation.
Reports indicated that the Yankees shifted McMahon’s expected debut with Somerset to Thursday, provided his symptoms improve. If everything proceeds as planned, the team still believes he could return to the active roster shortly afterward.
2. Recovery From Earlier Health Issue Continues
Importantly, the latest setback is unrelated to the condition that initially placed McMahon on the injured list. He has been recovering from a peritonsillar abscess, a serious infection affecting the throat and surrounding tissue near the tonsils.
The illness required careful medical treatment and prevented McMahon from participating in baseball activities for an extended period. The Yankees prioritized his complete recovery before allowing him to begin baseball workouts again.
Once doctors cleared him to resume physical activity, the organization arranged a rehabilitation assignment to help him regain timing at the plate and prepare for the demands of regular major league competition. Those appearances are considered an essential part of returning after an extended absence.
Because food poisoning is viewed as a short-term illness rather than a setback involving his previous medical condition, the Yankees remain confident that his long-term recovery has not been significantly affected.
3. Yankees Hope Return Remains on Schedule
Even with the brief postponement, New York continues to believe McMahon’s return is close. Team officials expect the veteran infielder to begin his rehab assignment as soon as he is healthy enough to take the field.
A successful appearance with Somerset would allow the coaching staff and medical personnel to evaluate his conditioning, defensive movement, and offensive rhythm before making a final decision on activating him.
The timing is important for a Yankees club managing several injury concerns while attempting to keep its roster as healthy as possible during a demanding stretch of the season. Every returning player provides valuable depth as the team looks to remain competitive.
If McMahon feels significantly better within the next day, the Yankees still anticipate activating him by Friday. While the unexpected illness created a temporary obstacle, the organization expects it to be only a minor interruption in his overall return to the major league lineup.