Stanton, Gregorius closer to returning
Two more of the Yankees’ injured stars are making progress toward rejoining the team.
Shortstop Didi Gregorius and outfielder Giancarlo Stanton are expected to take significant steps Monday in their roads back to returning to the team.
Gregorius (Tommy John surgery) will play in extended spring training games at shortstop, while Stanton (strained left shoulder) could begin a rehabilitation assignment with Single-A Tampa, manager Aaron Boone said Saturday before the Yankees’ 2-1 loss in 11 innings to the Rays at the Stadium. Initially, Gregorius was scheduled to serve as a designated hitter, but instead he will play shortstop, a positive sign of his progress.
“It puts a smile on my face,” Boone said.
Stanton was scheduled to take more live at-bats Saturday. If all goes well, he will start playing in games Monday. He appeared in the season’s first three games before going down with the shoulder injury. Gregorius has been out all year following surgery on his right elbow. Boone said he thinks Gregorious could be back in June and doesn’t believe he will need a full seven weeks to get ready to return.
“I think it will be shorter,” Boone said. “It depends when we transfer him over to an actual rehab assignment with a team, and then obviously you’re on the clock. He’s been doing so much already, as far as getting live [at-bats], doing all his work. He’s a little further along than he would be at the start of spring training, let’s say.”