BATLIMORE — Didi Gregorius went through a light workout Friday afternoon at Camden Yards, where he played catch with infield coach Carlos Mendoza before the Yankees’ 7-5 victory over the Orioles in 10 innings.
Following the session Gregorius said he was hopeful he won’t need longer than the required 10 days to come off the disabled list, but didn’t promise he would be ready to rejoin the lineup Thursday, which is the first day he is eligible.
When Aroldis Chapman will come off the 10-day DL isn’t known either, but the All-Star closer will miss more than the minimum.
“We will reevaluate in a couple of weeks,” Aaron Boone said Friday of Chapman, who went on the DL on Wednesday with an inflamed left knee that has been affecting him since May. He was examined by a doctor in New York on Friday and received a platelet-rich plasma injection in his hinge. “I am optimistic he will return in an impactful way.”
In other DL news, CC Sabathia returned to the roster to face the woeful Orioles, going six innings and allowing two runs on five hits with eight strikeouts. And Gary Sanchez’s right groin problem is improving. There is a chance the catcher could rejoin the club in time for a crucial nine-game road trip that opens in Oakland, Calif., on Sept. 3. Aaron Judge hasn’t gripped a bat because discomfort remains in his fractured right wrist.
With Dellin Betances, Zach Britton, who earned the save Friday, David Robertson, Chad Green and Jonathan Holder, the Yankees are deeper behind Chapman than they are at shortstop, where Gleyber Torres started a third straight game in Gregorius’ absence. Torres was a heralded shortstop prospect coming up in the Cubs’ system, but in brief appearances at the position, he hasn’t played defense at anywhere near the level Gregorius does, including Friday, when a seventh-inning error by Torres led to two unearned runs.
“I am feeling way better than everyone thinks. They said it will be there for a long time, but I am feeling way better and making improvements,” said Gregorius, who suffered a bruised left heel Sunday, when he collided with Blue Jays first baseman Kendrys Morales running to the bag.
Gregorius, who worked out on an exercise bicycle Friday, is hopeful he will be idle for just 10 days.
“I hope so, but I haven’t gotten a swing or anything in yet. Still have to wait,” said Gregorius, who is hitting .270 with 22 homers, 74 RBIs and a .815 OPS. “If everything is right, yes, but if it is not, I would say more than 10 days.”
Gregorius said he might get the go-ahead to start swinging a bat Monday, but isn’t waiting to be 100 percent healed before returning to a lineup that is also without Judge and Sanchez.
“It’s a little sore, but who is going to be healthy 100 percent when you play this game?” Gregorius said. “It is way better than it’s supposed to be.”
Gregorius said he isn’t surprised he is feeling better. Instead, he agreed with somebody who offered “unexpected.”
As for Chapman, Boone said the break could benefit the closer, who has converted 31-of-33 save chances. He removed himself from Tuesday night’s game in Miami in the 12th inning with the Yankees leading by a run.
“In the three or four weeks leading up to this, he was as good as he has been all year,” Boone said. “Hoping the time out will freshen him up.”
