After last nights rain-shortened win, the Yankees optioned LHP Stephen Tarpley back to the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders in preparation for the call earlier today, activating OF Clint Frazier off the 10-Day IL.
In a season that has been plagued by injuries, the list is finally starting to shrink as a lot of players have been recently returning from injury (Andujar, Sabathia, Sanchez), and more seem to be coming back soon.
This past week, we have seen the return of 3B Miguel Andujar, but also saw the Yankees placing LHP James Paxton on the 10-Day IL with left knee inflammation.
But, times (should be) looking up for Yankee fans, as many of the names on the IL are making big and important strides towards returning to the Big Leagues. Let’s take a quick look at them:
First, Clint Frazier:
As previously mentioned, earlier today, the Yankees activated Clint Frazier from the 10-Day IL for a Grade 2 strain and partially torn ligaments in his left ankle, and he poised to make his return to the lineup tonight.
Coley Harvey of ESPN reported after talking with Frazier that during his 11-game IL stint Frazier said, “I was really bored … with all the injuries, I wanted to play more than I ever have. I was really bored … with all the injuries, I wanted to play more than I ever have.” He also went on to say he agreed with the decision to rest him, and is ready to continue what has thus far been a fantastic season.
Game tonight at 6:35 PM, with Frazier in the 5-Spot:
Clint returns as we open a new series 💪 Powered by @Biofreeze pic.twitter.com/RgwjNhHv73 — New York Yankees (@Yankees) May 6, 2019
The Injured Dozen:
Dellin Betances: Right Shoulder Impairment; Potentially back in June
In my last post about looking at each name on the injury list, we were anticipating for Dellin Betances to make a return around the end of May. However, it looks at though that may now be a stretch.
However, Aaron Boone yesterday told reporters that Betances was scheduled to start a throwing program today, and has happened, as seen in the tweet below. Even though the timetable has been delayed a bit backwards, Betances is still on track for a return sooner rather than later, and this is a positive sign.
Dellin Betances’ throwing program included a flat ground session Monday at Yankee Stadium with pitching coach Larry Rothschild and trainer Steve Donohue — George A. King III (@GeorgeAKingIII) May 6, 2019
Dellin Betances says he’s not feeling soreness in his shoulder anymore. He was nervous before he threw today, but felt “encouraged and happy” during his light catch session. Had 25 throws from 60 feet away. Says he’d have to be a superhero to return by the end of the month though — Lindsey Adler (@lindseyadler) May 6, 2019
Greg Bird: Left Plantar Fascia Tear; Possibly in May
Here is one of the new names that have joined the IL list, and if there was one player who started the season healthy that you’d expect to land on this list, it was Greg Bird.
It also isn’t looking positive for Greg Bird, as we went on record saying, “At this point, timetables are pointless,” in regards to his most recent injury. He is slowly making the strides, but it does look at though his time in Pinstripes is nearing its end with how Luke Voit has been this year.
Greg Bird appeared in the Yankees clubhouse this morning. He’s out of the boot and walking on a treadmill. Asked for a timetable, he replied: “Timetables are pointless.” — Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) May 4, 2019
Jacoby Ellsbury: Recovering from August 2018 Hip Surgery; No timetable for Return
To nobody’s suprise, the Yankees are taking Ellsbury’s recovery nice and slow, for the long-term benefits to Ellsbury’s playing career.
Eh, who am I kidding? Ellsbury is hurt enough that they’re going to happily collect the money from insurance.
Seemed like a good time to ask about Jacoby Ellsbury… “Ells is just kind of dealing with different things, so not that far along. He’s had a number of little things that continue to pop up.” — Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) April 27, 2019
So at this point, do the Yankees just proceed as though he won’t play? “Certainly in the short-term, yeah. I don’t see anything imminent.” — Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) April 27, 2019
Didi Gregorius: Recovering from October 2018 Tommy John Surgery; Potentially back in June
On the flip-side of Ellsbury however, everything has been looking great for Didi Gregorius in his return from his Tommy John surgery at the very end of last season. He has been out hitting and is long-tossing the ball, as he reported himself on Instagram. Rehab games are also coming soon!
Didi Gregorius is a few weeks away from a rehab assignment, Aaron Boone said. Everything has been best case scenario so far. — Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) May 3, 2019
Didi Gregorius could get DH at-bats in extended spring games as early as May 20, Brian Cashman told @JimBowdenGM on @MLBNetworkRadio. — Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) May 5, 2019
Ben Heller: Recovering from April 2018 Tommy John Surgery; Potentially back in June
There have literally been no updates about Ben Heller since our last post.
I’m going to assume this is good news then.
Aaron Hicks: Lower Back Stiffness; Potentially back in mid-May (soon?!)
Aaron Hick’s progress back may have been a little slow, but there is great news ahead for him, as tonight he is appearing in his first rehab game with the Tampa Tarpons!
🚨 𝗠𝗟𝗕 𝗥𝗘𝗛𝗔𝗕 𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗥𝗧 🚨@Yankees OF Aaron Hicks is scheduled to make a rehabilitation appearance with the Tarpons TONIGHT! 🎟️: https://t.co/DQ4KgLizzJ pic.twitter.com/PDQlnCG16I — Tampa Tarpons (@TampaTarpons) May 6, 2019
Aaron Judge: Left Oblique Strain; Possibly late-May/June
The Yankees have been slow to offer a timetable for Judge’s return, but the typical oblique injury usually brings about a 4-8 week timetable for return from the diagnosis. That would put a good estimate for a Judge return to be at the best late-May and conservatively around June.
However, that doesn’t mean Judge is just bumming around, instead this New York Times article details how he is doing everything for the Yankees…except being on the field.
No baseball activities for Aaron Judge, but improvements every day. He’s in the weight room and doing range of motion work. Boone says they’re not at a point where they can offer a timetable. — Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) May 3, 2019
Jordan Montgomery: Recovering from June 2018 Tommy John Surgery; Potentially back in August
From last update (and like Heller above, again):
“Update: Like above with Ben Heller, there have been very few updates regarding Jordan Montgomery is his return from TJS. I take this as a good sign that everything in his rehab process is going well.”
James Paxton: Left knee inflammation; Possible late-May
The last new addition to the IL list, Paxton found himself placed on the 10-Day IL recently for left knee inflammation. However, he should be back in May again, bar a sudden and unexpected turn for the worse. He has already received cortisone shots. A 3 week timetable has been set by GM Brian Cashman.
Brian Cashman has offered a three week max timetable for James Paxton’s return: https://t.co/y2Njyjpyua — Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) May 5, 2019
Luis Severino: Right Rotator Cuff Inflammation and a Grade 2 Lat Strain; No timetable for Return
When the Yankees recently acquired OF Cameron Maybin from the Indians, they moved RHP Luis Severino tot the 60-Day IL in order to make room on the 40-Man roster.
That in itself is not a bad sign, and as there have been little reporting about Severino since our last update, I’m going to take that (as with Heller and Montgomery) as a good sign. If things weren’t going well, somebody would find out, and we’d be hearing it.
The Yankees have acquired OF Cameron Maybin from Cleveland for cash considerations. He was signed to a Major League contract and selected to the 25-man roster. To make room on the 40-man roster, RHP Luis Severino was transferred to the 60-day IL. — New York Yankees (@Yankees) April 25, 2019
Giancarlo Stanton: Grade 1 Left Bicep Strain; Potentially back in May
As somewhat noted earlier through the reply that Bryan Hoch had for Jim Bowden, Stanton is looking to resume batting practice again this week.
Last update, we were hoping for a wishful return in April, but that did not happen. His rehab progress has been pretty decently reported, as there have been some smaller set-backs and misinformation about if he is joining the team or not, but hopefully that ends with this latest news.
Brian Cashman told us he expects Frazier to be reinstated from IL on Mon or Tues: Paxton out 3 weeks max; Stanton return to BP this week; Hicks in ext spring will start rehab in Tampa this week…could be activated next weekend; Gregorius will complete throwing program this week — Jim Bowden (@JimBowdenGM) May 5, 2019
Troy Tulowitzki: Left Calf Strain; Potentially back in May
Tulowitzki was participating in rehab games around the same time as Miguel Andujar, but unfortunately suffered a set-back with additional tightness in the left calf that sent him to the IL in the first place.
He was also previously hit by a pitch in the hamstring during rehab, but it appears as though nothing major has come from that.
Troy Tulowitzki (calf) started a rehab game with Class A Tampa tonight. He singled in the first inning and was pulled from the game. Not immediately sure why, but Aaron Boone said pregame that Tulowitzki was hit by a pitch in the leg yesterday yet finished the game. — James Wagner (@ByJamesWagner) May 1, 2019
(All injury information and expected dates back, from MLB Injury Report.)
