ANOTHER INJURY & IT JUST MAKES ME SICK

I just broke the news to my son that Paul Goldschmidt is dealing with a back injury. His reaction? Pure frustration.

"I'm so sick of this," he said. "Hal should be ashamed. Why can't we have a competitive team that stays healthy? He’s embarrassed his father."

Now, keep in mind—this is a kid who never even saw George Steinbrenner run the Yankees, yet he still understands that winning is supposed to be the standard. And right now? It’s anything but.

Here’s the latest issue: Goldschmidt, who has been dealing with back soreness for a few days, was forced out of Monday’s game against the Blue Jays after just two at-bats and 2 ½ innings. Goldy insists there's no worry about his availability for Opening Day in 10 days, but he still felt the need to take precautions.

"It wasn’t really any worse today," Goldschmidt said. "It was just one of those things where you don’t want it to get worse this close to the season. It’s been lingering, but I should be fine."

But will he really be fine? That’s the real question.

And of course, Aaron Boone chimed in with his usual optimistic nonsense: "Nothing I don’t think that’s anything too big."

Sound familiar? Because every time Boone downplays an injury, it somehow turns into a stint on the IL. His track record isn’t exactly reassuring, and if history repeats itself, Goldschmidt could be headed there soon. Let's hope not.

This only makes things more frustrating, considering Goldschmidt has been one of the few bright spots this spring, hitting .313 (10-for-32) over 13 games.

Something needs to change. Because right now, it was a better team on paper, but yet, the same old story—injuries, uncertainty, and a front office that seems content to let it happen.