CHICAGO — Considering how many injuries the Yankees have suffered and the number of setbacks their players have incurred while working back to the big leagues, it is never safe to say anyone is a lock to return from the injured list on an exact date.
Dellin Betances, Luis Severino, Troy Tulowitzki, Jacoby Ellsbury and Giancarlo Stanton all have experienced setbacks while on the shelf.
Stanton, however, is getting ready to make the move from Single-A to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this weekend, so the Yankees have an idea when the slugging outfielder/DH will return to the big leagues.
“If he gets through this weekend all right — he will probably play all three games — I don’t know if we would activate him Monday, maybe Tuesday,’’ Aaron Boone said before the Yankees’ 5-4 loss to the White Sox on Thursday night at Guaranteed Rate Field.
The lineup hasn’t sagged without Miguel Andujar, Aaron Judge and Stanton, but the Yankees will gladly accept inserting Stanton’s power into the middle of the order.
Stanton went on the shelf with a strained left biceps April 1 after playing in three big league games this season. While out, Stanton developed a right shoulder problem and in his first minor league rehab game, with Tampa on May 20, he suffered a strained left calf. In two games for Tampa on Monday and Tuesday, Stanton went 4-for-7 with three homers and four RBIs.
Boone also said there is a chance Stanton will be joined by Judge at Triple-A this weekend. Boone said Judge, who hasn’t played since April 20 due to a strained left oblique, faced live pitching Tuesday and Wednesday in Tampa.
“It’s been feeling good the past two days in my at-bats,” Judge said. “Game ready. Just excited to hopefully get a chance to play in some games here soon and get back to New York. The big test was getting these at-bats.”
After speaking with Stanton on Thursday afternoon, Boone got the impression the slugger is encouraged by his progress.
“It is good to get results, but more importantly I know he is feeling really well,’’ Boone said. “I can tell he is physically in a really good place. Now, heading up to Triple-A, it’s exciting that we are going to get him back soon. My understanding is that his upper body and lower body are really good. It feels like he has really turned the corner and feels as good as he has all year.’’
As for where Boone will use Stanton, the manager didn’t sound like he would be afraid to play Stanton in the field as well as at DH.
Boone said Stanton will get a good dose of DH when he returns, but also will play the outfield.
“A little bit of both. He will probably DH as much as anyone,’’ Boone said. “We get him and Aaron back we will try and use [the DH] spot creatively to get guys in the lineup or give guys days off. [Stanton] will occupy that spot a fair amount.’’
Since all three of Stanton’s starts at the beginning of the year were in left field, Boone has used seven players in the DH spot this season. Luke Voit led with 20 starts. Clint Frazier was the DH on Thursday, his 11th time this season. Kendrys Morales, who went on the 10-day IL with a strained left calf before the game, was the DH in 10 games, Miguel Andujar and Gary Sanchez DHed eight times each and Mike Ford was used in the spot four times. Aaron Judge was the DH for one game.
— With AP
