Boone confident Didi can avoid trip to IL
Didi Gregorius sat both games of Saturday’s split doubleheader against the Red Sox with a strained finger in his left hand and he still provided some of the better health news for the Yankees.
The shortstop took grounders between games and reported no issues.
“Everything went good,’’ Gregorius said following the Yankees’ sweep of the doubleheader in The Bronx.
Aaron Boone said he was hopeful the shortstop would be available off the bench Saturday, but didn’t go to him.
“He’s better today,’’ Boone said before the first game. “I think we’re encouraged by what we’re seeing.”
The manager remained confident Gregorius would be able to avoid an IL stint, as DJ LeMahieu did when he sat for four games with a tight groin before returning for Friday’s seriesopening win over Boston.
Even if the Yankees decided to give Gregorius more time off, Boone believed they have enough depth to get by, with Breyvic Valera still up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
“We’ll see where we are at the end of the day,’’ Boone said. “I do now believe we will avoid an IL situation and he’s day-to-day. We’re covered. We’re all right.”
That depth was tested when Edwin Encarnacion was lost with a fractured right wrist suffered during the first game, replaced by Mike Ford on the roster in the nightcap.
And with Gregorius out again, Gleyber Torres was back at shortstop and Valera started at second and had a go-ahead single off Chris Sale in the fourth inning of the first game.
“Chris Sale is one of the best pitchers in baseball,’’ Valera said through an interpreter. “When I walked in today and saw I was playing against him, I was like ‘Oof. I’ve got a tough battle ahead of me.’ But you forget about the names and focus on the task at hand.’’
Gary Sanchez (groin) took live BP on the field on Saturday and the Yankees remain hopeful he’ll be able to rejoin the team soon. He was eligible to come off the IL on Saturday, but only just started doing catching drills and may need some rehab games. Brett Gardner had his first multi-hit game since July 13 with his three-hit afternoon in Game 1 on Saturday.
The struggling Aaron Judge , who entered in a 2-for-21 funk, had his first extra-base hit in six games with his fourth-inning double in Game 1. He went 2-for-5 in the nightcap. . … The Yankees improved to 9-0 when Chad Green is used as an opener. He has a 2.13 ERA in those games.
Gio Urshela added another highlight-reel play to his resume in the first game when he made a running catch on a Sandy Leon foul pop just before he ran into the netting along the third-base wall. … Tommy Kahnle was named AL Reliever of the Month, with a 0.77 ERA and 17 strikeouts in a dozen July appearances.