Stanton on IL with calf strain, Gallo back from COVID

NEW YORK — When Aaron Boone sat down for his pregame news conference Wednesday, the Yankees still had not released their starting lineup for the day. This came on the heels of DJ Lemahieu abruptly getting scratched from the lineup Tuesday and Giancarlo Stanton leaving midgame with a lower-leg malady.

Boone was asked about Stanton, and his initial update was mostly a nothing burger.

“I don’t have a lot for you guys yet,” the manager said. “He just got here and got his MRI. We’re waiting to get that read.”

Then, less than 45 minutes before the game, it was announced Stanton was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right calf strain. Joey Gallo was also reinstated from the COVID IL.

It certainly does not seem Stanton’s injury is very serious, but it was enough for the big man to pull himself out of a tight game in the seventh inning and has now warranted some time on the shelf, something Boone did concede was a possibility before the move was made official.

No DJ for second day in row:

Lemahieu, who was not in the lineup for Wednesday’s rubber match with Baltimore, spoke at his locker about the left wrist discomfort that has kept him out for the last two games. He was also out of the starting nine on Monday, which Boone said was just a typical rest day.

“I literally just picked up a bat on Monday in the cage before the game and couldn’t swing really,” Lemahieu said. “I don’t remember doing anything. It’s very strange.”

The MRI on his wrist did not show anything alarming and the team doctors gave him a cortisone shot.

“Because there’s nothing on the MRI, I’m hoping this cortisone knocks it right out,” he said.

Lemahieu has not been placed on the IL.

More injury news: Another Yankees reliever is going on the IL. This time it’s Jonathan Loaisiga, who joins Chad Green and Aroldis Chapman as members of the Yankees bullpen to go down in the last four days.

“He’s got some shoulder discomfort he’s been dealing with,” Boone said Wednesday afternoon.