Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Boone won’t bemoan injuries
TORONTO — Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Friday he’s “optimistic” both Edwin Encarnacion (oblique) and Gary Sanchez (groin) will be able to return before the end of the season, one day after the sluggers were injured in separate games of a doubleheader victory over the Tigers.
The news was clearer for Boone’s pitching staff. Right-hander Luis Severino, who hasn’t taken the mound this season because of shoulder soreness, is expected to debut Tuesday against the Angels, and left-hander Jordan Montgomery will return from elbow surgery to face the Blue Jays on Sunday, possibly following an opener. Montgomery hasn’t pitched in the majors since May 1, 2018.
Left-hander J.A. Happ had a cortisone injection in his troublesome left biceps on Friday and is expected to face the Angels next week. Happ pitched 4 innings against the Tigers on Thursday before being replaced by Chad Green. Happ said afterward that he’s been bothered by biceps tendinitis for his past few starts.
It’s been an injuryplagued season for the AL East-leading Yankees, with 30 players making 38 trips to the injured list. That’s the highest total in the major leagues in at least 15 seasons.
Boone acknowledged frustration with his team’s poor health, but said it doesn’t change his outlook.
“The goal and the intentions and what we expect never changes,” Boone said. “It hasn’t changed all year and it hasn’t changed now. But anytime we lose some of our dudes, I get frustrated.”