GREGORIUS NOT ESTIMATING ON RETURN FROM ELBOW SURGERY
NEWYORK (AP) >> Didi Gregorius was quick when asked if he had a date in mind for his return from a torn elbow ligament.
“April,” he blurted. Then he smiled, laughed and added: “We all know that’s not going to happen, but that’s what I want to do. It’s a wait and see ‘ til everything is cleared, everything is ready to go.”
The New York Yankees shortstop tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow while making a throw from left field after a ball bounced off Fenway Park’s Green Monster during Game 2 of the AL Division Series last Oct. 6. He had surgery 11 days later and had a checkup this week.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman says he expects Gregorius back sometime in the summer but has not been more specific.
New York added DJ LeMahieu and Troy Tulowitzki to shore up its infield, moves Gregorius thinks improved the roster. Gregorius wasn’t concerned the Yankees would sign a high-priced free agent such as Manny Machado, who plays shortstop and third.
“If he comes over, he makes the team better,” Gregorius said Wednesday.
Gregorius spoke before the annual Thurman Munson Awards dinner, also attended by Yankees manager Aaron Boone and third baseman Miguel Andujar. Boone
doesn’t expect any more moves before the team reports to spring training on Feb. 13.
“He’s such a dynamic player for us on both sides of the ball, such a reliable player for us at such an important position,” Boone said, “but hopefully we’ll do our best to hold serve and then look forward to getting a really good player back at some point in the summer.”
Gregorius turns 29 on Feb. 18, when he will be at spring training in Tampa,
Florida, and thinks “hopefully next week I start doing some throwing exercises.”
He has no intention of returning as a designated hitter if he can hit before the elbow is ready for a return to the field.
“I want to be back completely,” he said. “I just want to make sure everything’s all right before I go out there. I haven’t even thought about hitting before everything.”
Gregorius immediately realized the severity of the injury, saying he instantly spoke up: “I think my arm is done.’”
Still, he finished the series, which Boston won in four games.