Taking time on the Injured List is not an option for Jeff Passan at this busy time of year.
The ESPN MLB insider announced on Twitter on Monday that he suffered a broken back during a yardwork accident in recent days.
“Sorry I haven’t been posting lately,” Passan wrote.
“During cleanup after a big storm in KC, a large tree limb decided to crush me. The good news: I still have use of my arms, legs and Twitter fingers. The bad news: I have a broken back.”
Passan, 42, joined ESPN in 2018 after 13 years covering baseball for Yahoo Sports.
With the MLB trade deadline about two weeks away on August 1, it is about neck-and-neck for the busiest time of the year for Passan, along with the start of free agency during the Hot Stove period of the offseason.
Luckily, even in recovery, Passan will have the tools at his disposal to carry out his reporting responsibilities.
“The vertebra fracture will heal,” he said.
“I will be better. I’m hoping the pain subsides between now and the trade deadline, though painkiller-fueled tweets could be a fun time.
“To my incredible family, friends and everyone at ESPN who have been so supportive: Thank you. For the nurses, doctors and support staff at KU Med: I so appreciate your care and diligence. And to those who are so vital to helping me deliver news this time of year especially: My back may be shot, but my phone still works.”
This is the culprit.
You can be damn sure I will be making a bat out of it. pic.twitter.com/WkR4XkGBIH
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 17, 2023
New York baseball fans will be especially keyed into the MLB trade deadline, as the Yankees have been described as “motivated” to try to pull off a blockbuster deal for Shohei Ohtani, while the Mets appear as though they could be big sellers with superstars potentially being on the move.
