Yankees' Fowler ruptures patellar tendon in 1st inning of MLB debut

The New York Yankees have lost another player to injury - and this one didn't even get a chance to bat in his first MLB game.

In the first inning of Thursday's contest against the Chicago White Sox, outfielder Dustin Fowler, who was making his major-league debut, collided with the right-field wall and was then carted off the field with a partially ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee, according to MLB.com's Bryan Hoch.

Fowler was taken to the Rush U Medical Center where MLB.com's Scott Merkin reports White Sox team doctor Charles Bush Joseph will perform surgery.

Fowler was called up Thursday after hitting .293 with 13 home runs in 70 games at Triple-A this season. Following the collision, Fowler tried to put weight on his right leg but couldn't stay on his feet. Manager Joe Girardi called for the trainer's cart shortly thereafter.

The 22-year-old was scheduled to lead off in the top of the second inning, but was replaced by Rob Refsnyder.

A string of injuries has impacted the Yankees' offense. Jacoby Ellsbury was only activated earlier this week after missing a month of action, and Fowler joins Greg Bird, Matt Holliday, Starlin Castro, Tyler Austin, and Aaron Hicks among the wounded.