Yankees’ Kluber to return Monday
Yankees right-hander Corey Kluber, a two-time Cy Young Award winner who has been sidelined since May 25 because of a shoulder issue, will be activated for a start Monday against the Angels in Anaheim, manager Aaron Boone said Friday.
Kluber began a rehab assignment Aug. 12 by pitching 11⁄3 innings, then threw 32⁄3 innings in a minor-league outing Tuesday.
“I think he’s ready for this next step,” Boone said. “He’s responded well physically; he’s feeling good. He’s been bouncing back from his outings well as he’s been building up here. He’s ready to take on major-league competition and go to that next level.”
With the Yankees practicing extreme caution — and Boone allowing that Kluber is “not all the way built up like his full starter load” — the manager said left-hander Andrew Heaney will likely piggyback on Kluber’s start Monday. Boone also said he would consider Heaney as a sixth starter, given that the Yankees have 20 games in 20 days beginning next Friday. Medical report: Twins pitcher Kenta Maeda will undergo elbow surgery next week and will miss the rest of the season . ... Angels left-hander Patrick Sandoval, on the injured list because of a back injury, was diagnosed with a fracture in his back and will miss the rest of the season . ... Phillies right-hander Zach Eflin and teammates Andrew Knapp and Luke Williams were placed on the COVID-19 injured list. ... Red Sox infielder Kiké Hernandez tested positive for the coronavirus and will be out indefinitely. Additionally, Rangers right-hander Spencer Howard went on the COVID-19 IL, though the team has not said whether he tested positive for the virus . ... The list of players activated from the 10-day injured list includes White Sox catcher Yasmani Grandal, Twins outfielder Byron Buxton, Rays reliever Pete Fairbanks, Braves outfielder Eddie Rosario, Tigers catcher Eric Haase and Twins pitcher Jorge Alcala . ... Among the players who began rehab stints Friday were Indians righthander Aaron Civale and Rangers right-hander Kohei Arihara. Briefly: The Reds claimed infielder Asdrubal Cabrera off waivers from the Diamondbacks . ... The Blue Jays claimed outfielder Jarrod Dyson off waivers from the Royals . ... Tigers right-hander Erasmo Ramirez and Braves outfielder Abraham Almonte were designated for assignment . ... The Orioles released third baseman Maikel Franco, who was designated for assignment Monday . ... The Astros signed utilityman Marwin Gonzalez to a minorleague contract.