Sports

Yankees Gregorius, Stanton nearing return to action

Tanaka exits with shin contusion

May 18, 2019
New York Yankees starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka (19) leaves the field after getting the third out and being hit by a ground ball against the Tampa Bay Rays during the sixth inning at Yankee Stadium. — Reuters
New York Yankees starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka (19) leaves the field after getting the third out and being hit by a ground ball against the Tampa Bay Rays during the sixth inning at Yankee Stadium. — Reuters

NEW YORK — Shortstop Didi Gregorius could return to the lineup for the New York Yankees next month, and outfielder Giancarlo Stanton could be back sooner, manager Aaron Boone said on Saturday.

Gregorius had Tommy John surgery on his throwing elbow last October after sustaining the injury in Game 2 of the American League Division Series. At the time, general manager Brian Cashman said Gregorius likely could be back as early as June.

“If everything goes well, I think that’s fair,” Boone said of the June timetable before Saturday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium.

Gregorius, 29, is scheduled to play on Monday in an extended spring training game in Tampa.

Boone also said Stanton, 29, is closing on a return.

The slugger, who has been on the bench since April 1 with a strained left shoulder, could play in a rehab game on Monday night for the Class-A Tampa Tarpons.

“He’s been getting live ABs (at-bats) the last couple days,” Boone said. “He actually got hit (Friday) on the knee...

“(He’s) OK, nothing serious. He’s going to get more live ABs (Saturday) with the hope that he will start a rehab assignment with the Tarpons on Monday potentially.”

Stanton could come off the injured list within a week or so if there aren’t any setbacks. Gregorius still must play in a few extended spring games, then minor league rehab games before returning to Yankee Stadium.

Last season, Gregorius appeared in 134 games for the Yankees, batting .268 with 27 home runs, 23 doubles and 86 RBIs. Stanton played in 158 games, batting .266 with 38 home runs, 100 RBIs and 164 hits.

Meanwhile, New York Yankeesstarting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka exited Saturday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays after the sixth inning due to a right shin contusion.

On his 88th and final pitch, Tanaka had a ground ball by Yandy Diaz go off his lower leg. The ball was clocked at 111.3 mph by Statcast and it caromed off Tanaka’s leg to first baseman Luke Voit for the final out.

The Yankees announced in the seventh that X-Rays were negative.

Tanaka allowed three hits in six scoreless innings.

He is 3-3 with a 3.09 ERA in 10 starts this season. — Reuters


May 18, 2019
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