Gio Urshela back in lineup Saturday after vaccination [UPDATE]

Update: April 10, 11:15 a.m. — Well that was quick. Urshela missed one game due to post-Covid-19 vaccine symptoms and is back in the lineup at 3B batting eighth agains the Rays on Saturday.

New York Yankees third baseman Gio Urshela was a late scratch for Friday’s series opener versus the Tampa Bay Rays because the team has placed him on the COVID injured list. The Yankees announced the move earlier this afternoon.

The good news is that Urshela doesn’t have COVID-19. Rather, he is experiencing side effects from the COVID vaccine. As such, there is no minimum amount of time that Urshela will have to miss; he can return once he feels better.

Urshela isn’t off to a great start at the plate this season; he has a .292 on-base percentage and only one extra-base hit in 23 at-bats. However, he represents yet another Yankee regular who won’t be available for the start of this series versus the reigning American League champions. Aaron Judge is also out for a second straight game due to side soreness.

DJ LeMahieu has moved from second base to third base to fill in for Urshela. Tyler Wade is starting at second base. Clint Frazier has moved over to right field in place of Judge, and Mike Tauchman will get the start in left. Tauchman and Wade are batting eighth and ninth, respectively, versus Rays left-hander Rich Hill.

The Yankees are also calling first baseman Mike Ford. He will most likely play a backup role to Jay Bruce.