Stanton scratched from rehab with sore
BALTIMORE — Giancarlo Stanton was scratched from his minor league rehab start Tuesday because of a tight, sore knee. The slugger was hit by a pitch in a live at-bat session last week and that spot on his knee/calf area tightened up before Tuesday night’s game.
“He was hit, I think a few days ago in one of his live ABs, he was hit with a pitch,” Aaron Boone said. “So he did all his pregame work. (We) held him out as a precaution, just because that spot had tightened up, calf knee-ish area.
“I don’t think it’s a big deal. Expect him to play tomorrow,” Boone said. “All his pregame work was good. I think we just thought better to be cautious with it. And give it a day.”
Stanton has been on the injured list since April 1 with a strained left biceps first and now a strained shoulder. He played his first rehab game on Monday going 1-for-3 with a
home run and two strikeouts.
Boone said he did not go for any tests on the knee.
TANAKA THURSDAY
Masahiro Tanaka, who had to leave his last start after taking a hard-hit comebacker off his right shin, was able to throw his regular bullpen on Tuesday and declared himself ready to make his scheduled start on Thursday.
“My leg is fine. I’m pretty much ready to go,” Tanaka said. “I should be fine. I just ran outside. I’m putting weight on it. I’ll be alright.”
DIDI DOWN
After playing in his first game in extended spring training, Didi Gregorius did not play on Tuesday because he was dehydrated, Boone said.
“Everything is fine with him. He was actually under the weather yesterday. He came out of the game and was just dehydrated. We actually got him an IV and stuff,” Boone said. “I talked to him a couple of hours ago. He’s fine. We just decided to keep him out today and he’ll be back in there tomorrow.”
PAXTON MISSING ANOTHER TURN
James Paxton said he felt “next to nothing,” in his left knee when he threw his bullpen Tuesday, but is not ready to be activated yet. The lefty, who has been on the IL with inflammation in his left knee since May 4, will throw a simulated game in Tampa on Friday.
“Hopefully if everything goes well with that, he’ll be able to rejoin the rotation after that,” Boone said.
That means that the Yankees are planning to use an “opener,” again in Paxton’s regular spot in the rotation on Friday.
“I would say a strong possibility,” Boone said. “Again trying to get through these next few days. I would say that could happen yes.”
JUDGE JONESING TO PLAY
Aaron Judge is not ready to start hitting, but he is trying to ramp up his rehab these days. The slugger, who has been out since April 21 with a strained oblique, was on the field throwing for the third time Tuesday. He stood in and tracked pitches during Masahiro Tanaka’s bullpen session.
“I think it’s him just wanting to start to ramp back up and get some visual reps there where he can start to create a little bit of timing for yourself,” Boone said. “Obviously he’s not swinging a bat yet but he’s moving toward getting close to be able to do that. I think it’s a chance for him to stand in there and hopefully gain something from that.”
Judge has taken a few dry swings, but the Yankees are be
ing cautious.
“I didn’t see him do that. I know the last week, he’s had a bat in his hand a little bit more. You know he’s starting to feel like he’s getting closer to that point,” Boone said. “He’s not there yet. He’s definitely feeling better.”
FRAZIER FINDS HIMSELF
Clint Frazier came into Baltimore on a 6-for-40 slump after missing 11 games with a sprained left ankle and didn’t even get into the game Monday night. Tuesday, with Brett Gardner getting a day off, Frazier got a chance to play.
He had a two-run homer in the third inning and a threerun shot in the fifth for a career-high five RBI.
“I think for me, it was timing. I felt like I was in between on pitches in the last couple of weeks, and the way that I’ve felt, especially in that second AB, that helped lead to the third AB,” Frazier said. “I just think I need a little momentum to get back to where I want it to be.”