The era of the "undermanned" Yankees may be over.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said prior to Wednesday's game against the Red Sox that the team plans to activate Aroldis Chapman from the IL on Friday, and have him for their series in Milwaukee – and Anthony Rizzo is “in play” to be activated by Sunday as well.
“That’s the plan,” Boone said of Chapman. “He’ll meet us in Milwaukee.”
Chapman has been on the IL retroactive to August 24 due to an infected wound on his leg after getting a new tattoo. He made his most recent rehab outing on Tuesday night, allowing one hit and one walk with two strikeouts in one inning for Double-A Somerset, and topping out at 100 MPH.
As for Rizzo, he is scheduled to be one of the hitters for Scott Effross’ live BP session Friday in Milwaukee, and if all goes well, he could avoid a rehab stint and be activated Sunday.
“I think Sunday is a possibility, but we’re going to listen to his body and listen to him and see where we think we are as the weekend unfolds,” the manager said.
Rizzo has been on the IL retroactive to Sept. 3 due to headaches stemming from an epidural in his back, but he has not played since Aug. 31, the day before he got that epidural.
The Yankees could soon get one other position player back, too, as Boone noted that after taking Thursday off, Harrison Bader would play back-to-back games in the field for Double-A Somerset on Friday and Saturday, and if he comes through that, he could be activated early next week.
And even better news is ahead on the pitching horizon, as Luis Severino is set to rejoin the team next week after making his final rehab start for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Thursday, and Zack Britton threw a scoreless inning at Triple-A Wednesday, and is now about a week away from the end of his 30-day rehab window.
Miguel Castro also made his second rehab appearance Wednesday at Somerset, but threw 19 pitches and got just one out. His 30-day rehab window would not end until during the ALDS, so it’s possible he may not return to the Yankees this year despite being on the rehab trail.
Still, take all that and add in Effross throwing live BP Friday, which could soon progress into a rehab assignment, and the Yankees’ staff could have a very different look two weeks from now.
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