As the Yankees get set to begin a home series against the Blue Jays, the streaking Bombers could be getting one of their biggest bats back by the end of the three-game set.
Giancarlo Stanton has increased his workload as he nears the end of his IL stint from a quad strain, and manager Aaron Boone said the slugger could be in play for the series against Toronto.
“Possibility, but just getting through these final days of back-to-playing speed,” Boone said. “Bases will be a part of that, making sure we’re fully past this.”
Given Stanton’s recent injury history, the Yankees are proceeding with caution when it comes to Stanton, who is second on the Yanks with nine home runs despite his recent IL stint, and his OPS of .882 is also second on the team, behind only Aaron Judge.
“He’s getting ready to do a pretty heavy day today,” Boone said. “He’s running bases, hutting and everything. He had a really good day Sunday but hasn’t run the bases yet, but he’s getting close.”
Zack Britton is another key piece working his way back, and after delaying his rehab stint in the minors due to elbow soreness, Boone said Britton is on track to start that delayed rehab stint this weekend in Double-A pending a successful bullpen session on Wednesday.
“He threw a bullpen yesterday, everything went well there…he feels great today,” Boone said. “He’ll throw another bullpen tomorrow…and if everything goes well with that bullpen, he’ll start on Saturday with Somerset.”
Boone said Britton will need a handful of appearances before making his season debut.
“Could be four, could be six, it will take as long as he feels like he’s ready to come back and be Zack Britton,” Boone said.
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