Aaron Hicks returned to the lineup after missing two games with a right shoulder problem that required a cortisone shot Thursday.
“I feel good, shoulder feels good. Better than it was [Thursday]. I think it was the shot and now it’s gone,’’ said Hicks, who went 1-for-3 and made a sliding catch in center field during the Yankees’ 7-5 win over the Astros on Saturday night at the Stadium.
Domingo German was spotted running the bases and taking batting practice before the game.
German, the staff leader in wins (nine), was placed on the IL on June 9 with a strained left hip flexor.
“Felt good. Felt strong and felt confident running bases,’’ German said.
As for his throwing program, there has been progress.
“Everything going great, feeling better every day,” said German, who has thrown one bullpen session and wasn’t sure when the second one would come. “Not yet. We can’t get ahead of ourselves. I’m scheduled to pitch a game in the minor leagues and we’ll continue the throwing program. If everything goes well, looking forward to getting a game up here but take one step at a time.’’
German speculated he could pitch in a game for SWB “sometime next week.’’
Aaron Boone on Luis Severino’s progress: “[He’s] in a little download so not throwing for a few days. I think he starts throwing again on Monday and hopefully that into a bullpen shortly after.’’
Boone said his break was scheduled.
“They backed him down to stretch him out,’’ Boone said of Severino, who is recovering from a lat injury he suffered while on the IL with an inflamed rotator cuff.
Earlier this week Boone said he would rest Gary Sanchez either Saturday or Sunday. The manager opted for Saturday, though Sanchez had homered in three consecutive games.
Sanchez had started five straight games and hit .400 (8-for-20) with three homers and nine RBIs.
Austin Romine started, caught Masahiro Tanaka and homered. Yankees catchers have homered in four straight games and those homers have tied the score or given the Yankees a lead.
Boone also removed infielder Gleyber Torres from the lineup after he had homered in the previous three games.
“He is a little upset with me,’’ Boone said. “He just wants to play.’’
Gio Urshela, who essentially replaced Torres in the infield, also homered.
