Sanchez forced out with back spasms in new blow
BOSTON — Gary Sanchez, who was not in the lineup Thursday night because of being “banged up,” left Friday night’s game after the fifth inning with “midback,” spasms, according to the Yankees. “We’ll ll just see how it responds overnight,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “It just started locking up and it felt like it was cramping on him in the early innings. And then just by that fifth when he came out, it just really kind of locked up on him.
“So he’s in there still getting treatment now and he noticed some improvement but we’ll just see where we’re at overnight and tomorrow.”
The Yankees are thin at catcher with Kyle Higashioka on the COVID-19 injury list. He along with Aaron Judge are not expected to rejoin the team until Sunday and then not be activated until possibly early next week. Rob Brantly stepped in for Sanchez Friday night.
The Yankees have catchers at Triple-A, but Boone wasn’t in a rush to make a move.
“I mean, look, we’ll see what we have tomorrow. We’ll see how Gary responds overnight. Hopefully he’s back in there and it’s just something that kind of locked up on him here, hopefully a short term thing,” Boone said.
LOAISIGA, CORTES RETURN
The Yankees are finally getting some help. Jonathan Loaisiga and Nestor Cortes came off the COVID-19 injured list before Friday night’s game against the Red Sox. Gio Urshela was at Fenway Park working out before the game and expects to be activated off the list before the end of the series. Aaron Judge and Kyle Higashioka will travel with the team from Boston to Tampa on Sunday night.
After Thursday night’s bullpen meltdown, Loaisiga and Cortes are two huge returns.
Cortes pitched on Friday night, giving up three runs in a two-inning stint.
Urshela said he was surprised he had COVID-19, because had already had it last offseason, but this time he had very light symptoms, just “like a normal cold.” Urshela, who is vaccinated, worked out on Thursday with no issues, so he expects to be back in the lineup soon.
“He’ll work out today and tomorrow and potentially be in play for a Sunday,” Boone said of the Yankees’ third baseman.
The Bombers are also hopeful that Judge and Higashioka will be back early next week during the series against the Rays.
“They’ll get their work done down in Tampa and have a workout day Monday in Tampa,” Boone said. “And we’ll see where we’re at from there.”
Wandy Peralta has been working out at Yankee Stadium the past two days, Boone said. The lefty reliever was on the IL before going on the COVID-19 IL, which means Peralta may need a minor league rehab start before he returns.
In other injury news: Michael King (finger) is not near a return, Boone said, explaining he will have to be built back up. Miguel Andujar (wrist) had another injection and is still not ready to return, but Boone doesn’t think it will be that long before he can come back. Clarke Schmidt, who strained his elbow in spring training, will make his first start of the season in the next couple days with one of the Yankees teams in Tampa. Clint Frazier (dizziness) is still undergoing vision testing and therapy and has not begun baseball activities.
KLUBER ON THE MOUND
Corey Kluber threw a bullpen Friday before the game, the first time he has thrown off the mound since he left his start in May with a strained shoulder. The two-time Cy Young winner threw 20 fastballs and said it felt good.
“I think the first one is more anything just about peace of mind of doing it and proving to yourself that there’s no issue doing it,” Kluber said. “And then I think from that point on, I think after I get that first one under my belt, it’s kind of easier to kind of not have it in the back of your mind, so to speak, the next time you do it.”
Kluber said he is confident he will pitch in a game again this season, but does not have a timeline for his return. Last month Brian Cashman suggested September is the target date.
TOUGH ROAD AHEAD
The Rays, sensing they can win the division, went out and made the first big trade of the deadline season. They acquired slugger Nelson Cruz on Thursday, who the Yankees will have to face when they start a three-game series in Tropicana Field starting on Tuesday.
“He’s a wrecking machine. He’s a great hitter, obviously still,” Boone said. “What is he now? Over 40 and still is as good as ever. So yeah, it makes them special. Certainly makes their offense that much more potent and dangerous and gives them a little bit of a different element with a kind of lethal right handed power bat. He’s an elite offensive player. So adding it to a really good team is going to make them even tougher.”