Paxton still has knee issue; Gregorius to start rehab

The only New York Yankees in action Friday were those on the injured list.

While the big league club was rained out in Kansas City, Yankees pitcher James Paxton and shortstop Didi Gregorius continued testing out their injuries in extended spring training Friday — with mixed results.

Paxton still has discomfort in his ailing left knee, while Gregorius planned to start a minor league injury rehabilitation assignment Saturday that has him returning to the big league team by mid-June.

Paxton allowed one hit in four innings and struck out seven against Detroit. He has not pitched for the Yankees since May 3.

"I felt it a little bit, but I still was able to make my pitches, which is what I wanted to see," Paxton said. Paxton had a cortisone shot May 4. "If I come in tomorrow with more pain than I had walking in today, then we'll have to do something," Paxton added. "But, if I come in tomorrow and it feels the same as it did walking in today, then that's just how I'm going to have to pitch for right now." Paxton threw 42 of 55 pitches for strikes. "Tomorrow's a big day, because the stuff and the execution, all the things we wanted to see today, I think we saw. So now how does he bounce back?" Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. "I'm hoping tomorrow that he comes in and feels strong and we can start to move forward."

The 30-year-old left-hander, 3-2 with a 3.11 ERA in seven starts, is among five Yankees starting pitchers on the injured list, joined by ace Luis Severino (right shoulder inflammation), CC Sabathia (right knee inflammation), Jonathan Loaisiga (right shoulder strain) and Jordan Montgomery (Tommy John surgery).

— Associated Press