Gregorius jogs as he nears return to lineup

Didi Gregorius did some light jogging on the field Wednesday afternoon, running in figure eights and backpedaling a little as well. It was hardly the brilliant speed that has made the Yankee shortstop one of the most dynamic players in the game, but it put him on a fast track — the fast track for his rehab.

It was the first time Gregorius had run on the field since he suffered the bruised left heel that landed him on the disabled list.

Gregorius said there is pain in the heel, but it was at a level he can — and expects — to be able to play through.

“The pain is still there, but it is nothing I can’t handle, I can manage that,” Gregorius said.

That was a huge step for the shortstop, who is eligible to come off the disabled list this weekend. Gregorius was not sure when he would come back, but he is hopeful it will be soon.

Aaron Boone watched Gregorius as he ran and did some fielding drills and was equally optimistic.

“We’ll evaluate after where we are at the end of today and start the plan going forward,” Boone said. “It seems like he is making positive steps each and every day, so I am optimistic it’s not too far off.”

Gregorius also hit on the field Wednesday and was not sure if the Yankees would send him to the minors for a rehab game or two.

299 AND WAITING.

Giancarlo Stanton has been stuck on 299 home runs for 10 games. The Yankee slugger went 0-for-3 Wednesday night, extending his recent slump to 6for-38.

“Good hitters hit .280 and get on 35% of the time, they are going to go through a week where it doesn’t happen all the time, that’s major-league baseball,” Boone said. That’s 162 games, that’s the ebb and flow of it. That’s part of it. That’s why there is a team, other guys need to pick up the slack, other guys need to produce, that’s what makes you a well-rounded quality team.

“Even when we have guys down, we’re still not reliant on one guy or two guys, we still count on contributions and have gotten contributions from a number of people.”

Stanton, who has played in every one of the Yankees’ 133 games this season, admitted he could benefit from a day off.

“But we’re beat up and I’ve got to be in there,” Stanton said. Help could be on the way. Gary Sanchez played his fourth minor-league rehab game and Gregorius had a good rehab before the game Wednesday.

TORRES FINE

Gleyber Torres, who took a spike to his left thumb while making a tag in the seventh inning, said it “was not important.” The shortstop stayed in the game.

DAILY JUDGE-MENT

Aaron Judge was scheduled to have a “low-key” day, Boone said. The Yankees slugger said Tuesday that he is not close to being able to swing a bat. Suffering a broken wrist July 26, Judge said he expects to be back this season.