Catchin’ the train
Sanchez may return in time for Subway
CLEVELAND – Gary Sanchez's minor-league rehab stint got off to a great start.
Sanchez homered while also striking out twice in three at-bats for Triple-A Scranton on Sunday. The 25-year-old caught seven innings and will now head on the road with the RailRiders.
The plan is for Sanchez to DH on Monday, get the day off Tuesday and then catch nine innings Wednesday before rejoining the Yankees.
Manager Aaron Boone hopes Sanchez can start Friday against the Mets, assuming there aren't any setbacks.
“I can't wait for the second half of the season,” Sanchez told Scranton reporters. “It's been quite a while already that I've been hurt, so I'm anxious.”
Sanchez hasn't played since June 24 due to a Grade I strain of his right groin.
SUBWAY ROTATION
The Yankees will start Domingo German, Sonny Gray and Masahiro Tanaka over the weekend against the Mets in their first series of the second half, Boone said. Luis Severino and CC Sabathia, who will each get extended rest, will start the following series in Tampa.
“Just trying to use this break to give CC and Sevy both – and obviously with Sevy going to the All-Star Game – a little extra time between their outings, obviously, which we feel like they could both really use,” Boone said. “And then with German and Tanaka they'll both be going on their seventh day so they get a little built in extra and then that lines up Sonny on the Saturday.”
Severino has been a force this season, going 14-2 with a 2.31 ERA. But the 24-year-old ace has struggled in his last two starts before the break, and he's already thrown 128.1 innings. Last season, he threw a career-high 209.1 innings between the regular season and playoffs.
“No red flags or nothing that I'm overly concerned about,” Boone said of Severino physically. “But there's no doubt I think he'll benefit from having essentially what almost works as a skipped turn in the rotation. My guess is he'll probably throw an inning in the All-Star Game, which can kind of work like a side for him. But I think that break at this point in the season as much as we've leaned on him hopefully is something that'll be really beneficial for him.”
GLEYBER TAKES BP
Gleyber Torres (hip) took batting practice on the field Sunday. The Yankees rookie will continue his rehab while at the All-Star festivities before heading down to Tampa on Wednesday. The Yankees expect Torres to come back at some point during the Rays series. Third-base coach Phil Nevin also took some hacks in the cage.
BOONE’S BREAK
The Yankees skipper said he's heading to Six Flags with his family during the All-Star break. Boone is also going to see a Broadway Show in the city, in addition to hanging with his kids, swimming, barbequing and enjoying the summertime. He also said he'll catch some of the Home Run Derby and the All-Star Game.