#Gleyber Torres, James Paxton added to Yankees’ ever-growing injured list

The Yankees’ series against the Mets was postponed this weekend, but that didn’t stop their incredible list of injuries from growing on Friday, as James Paxton, Gleyber Torres and Luis Avilan are all headed to the injured list after undergoing MRI exams.

Paxton was diagnosed with a left forearm flexor strain. He felt discomfort in his elbow and forearm during his start on Thursday, when he took a no-hitter into the fifth inning before allowing three runs in the fifth.

Torres left Thursday’s game with a tight left hamstring suffered running to first base. He was diagnosed with a Grade 1 strain in his hamstring and quad.

The left-hander Avilan was also hit hard in his outing Thursday and was shelved due to left shoulder inflammation.

The news was hardly unexpected and adds to the health woes the Yankees have experienced this year, with Aaron Judge (strained right calf), Giancarlo Stanton (strained left hamstring), DJ LeMahieu (sprained left thumb) all out of the lineup, Zack Britton out with a strained hamstring and Luis Severino and Tommy Kahnle both recovering from Tommy John surgery.

And while the news could have been worse for Paxton and the Yankees, it doesn’t mean the injury won’t lead to elbow surgery for the 31-year-old, who will be a free agent for the first time following this season.

Fellow Yankee southpaw Jordan Montgomery also suffered a flexor strain before eventually undergoing the procedure two years ago.

Submit your Yankees questions here to be answered in an upcoming Post mailbag

Paxton also underwent back surgery during spring training. He made it back in time for the delayed beginning of the regular season, but his velocity has been down 4-5 MPH during most of his outings and Paxton has generally struggled so far this year.

Paxton’s injury is another blow to the Yankees’ rotation, which is already without Luis Severino, who had Tommy John surgery this spring.

It could open a spot for top prospect Clarke Schmidt, who impressed during spring training and is at the team’s alternate site in Scranton.

General manager Brian Cashman could also look to make a move prior to the Aug. 31 trade deadline, but with the coronavirus creating such uncertainty this season, it’s unclear what teams will give up.

And although Torres has struggled for much of this season, he had improved at the plate before a recent 1-for-11 slide. His transition to everyday shortstop has also not gone smoothly.

The hope is that Torres isn’t out long, but with the infield already without LeMahieu at second, Tyler Wade had been filling in and Thairo Estrada came off the bench to replace Torres on Thursday.

The Yankees recently signed veteran Jordy Mercer, who can play shortstop and Miguel Andujar was also sent down to the alternate site following Wednesday’s game. Andujar has not done well in his adjustment to coming off the bench.

Avilan’s injury leaves them without another lefty option out of the pen, with Britton also out.

Friday’s news also shines a light on the Yankees’ continued injury issues, with players going down with stunning frequency for a second straight season. Asked Thursday if the recent string of injuries occurring despite the resources poured into the area during the offseason, Cashman replied in a text message: “Player care will always be a focus and our intent is to provide the best efforts towards that always while recognizing this is a sport where injuries due occur regardless.’’