CLEVELAND — Dellin Betances experienced soreness after his mound session Wednesday, according to Yankees manager Aaron Boone.
When asked if it was normal soreness, Boone said, “Normal soreness, we will see where it’s at.’’
Boone didn’t provide an update on Troy Tulowitzki, who went home to Las Vegas to work on his comeback from a strained left calf.
Gleyber Torres was not in the lineup Friday night for a second straight game because of a sore left shoulder.
“I started to feel something and it bothered me a little bit,’’ Torres said of the discomfort in the front of his right shoulder. “I think I will play [Saturday].’’
After Thairo Estrada filled in at short on Thursday night against the Blue Jays in Toronto, Didi Gregorius returned from the IL to handle the position during the Yankees’ 5-2 loss to the Indians. He went 2-for-4 and was thrown out attempting to stretch a single into a double in the fourth inning.
Gregorius’ return from the IL means Torres will shift back to second base with an occasional game at short to give Gregorius a break.
“I am so happy Didi is back,’’ Torres said. “I can’t wait to play with him again.’’
Boone said he expected Torres to return to the lineup Saturday.
With Masahiro Tanaka’s wife delivering a baby girl on Friday and the pitcher not being with the team, it is doubtful the right-hander will start Sunday against the Indians.
“I don’t know, probably not,’’ Boone said both before and after the loss.
It is possible Tanaka’s next outing won’t come until Monday against the Mets at Yankee Stadium.
As for what the Yankees will do Sunday, they have used reliever Chad Green three times to start a game this year. He pitched in relief Thursday against the Blue Jays and threw 24 pitches. Who Boone taps to start Sunday will be determined what is needed out of the bullpen Saturday.
CC Sabathia’s start Saturday is dripping with intrigue.
It is his last regular season start against the team with which he broke into the majors in 2001. If he is the winning pitcher, Sabathia will notch career victory 250 to go with passing the 3,000 strikeout mark.
The top priority, however, is winning.
“We try to win every day, so there is no room for that mushy stuff,’’ said Sabathia, who spent part of Friday visiting the Westlake, Ohio, house he lived in while playing for the Indians. “We are trying to win a game every day so it’s not about me. I wish I would be more sentimental that way, but it is what it is.’’
Sabathia’s family will be at Progressive Field on Saturday to see if he can post that 250th win. Every pitcher with 3,000 strikeouts and 250 wins is in the Hall of Fame — except Roger Clemens, who is still on the ballot.
