The Yankee bullpen has been dominant this season, and it could be getting even better in the near future.
Zack Britton, who has yet to pitch this season after having elbow surgery to remove a bone spur in March, threw a simulated game on Saturday and manager Aaron Boone said the lefty reliever is set to begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Somerset on Wednesday.
“He said he was a little rusty but felt like his stuff was good,” Boone said. “His arm felt great. Sounds like another good step for him. So he’ll be in line to pitch for Double-A on Wednesday assuming everything goes well these next few days.”
Boone also had positive news on the Rougned Odor front. The infielder has been out since May 4 with a knee sprain following a collision at home plate with Astros catcher Martin Maldonado, but Boone said Odor has increased baseball activities and could return as early as the team’s next series, which would be against the Rangers beginning on Monday.
“[I] think it’s possible in Texas,” Boone said. “Texas is based on how a lot of this weekend goes, and yesterday, Rougie had a really good day. He’s ramping up even more today, taking BP on the field and taking ground balls. I’m encouraged with the day he had yesterday, and if he has a couple good days here in Baltimore, I wouldn’t rule out Texas.”
Giancarlo Stanton was still kept out of Saturday’s starting lineup after he was a late scratch from Friday’s lineup with quad tightness, and Boone reiterated on Saturday that the slugger is still a hopeful day-to-day scenario, and that he felt improvements after Friday night.
“He’s better,” Boone said. “Again, I do feel like this is something that is a day-to-day situation that we’re out in front of…he’ll continue to get treatment and is doing some more activity today as far as moving around, but I would say a nice improvement overnight.”
Gleyber Torres could come off the IL once he administers two consecutive negative COVID-19 tests, even if that happens before the 10 day stint is up, but Boone said the shortstop is still testing positive and quarantining in Tampa.
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