Aaron Boone Says Didi Gregorius is Set to Return to Yankees for Series Against Indians
By Jerry Trotta
The injury-beleaguered yet first-place New York Yankees are about to get one of their core pieces back.
Last week, manager Aaron Boone claimed shortstop Didi Gregorius was on track to return for the club's series against the Cleveland Indians, which begins on Friday.
Fast forward a few days later, however, and the second-year manager confirmed that original timetable for Sir Didi and stated that he's slated to return for tomorrow's series opener against The Tribe. Gregorius has been on the injured list all season while recovering from offseason Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.
According to Aaron Boone on WFAN, Didi Gregorius is slated to return in Cleveland tomorrow
— Dan Federico (@DanJFederico) June 6, 2019
Of course, Didi will slide back into his everyday shortstop position, though we don't expect Boone to throw him out there more than five days a week to ease him back into things.
In eight minor-league rehab games, Gregorius has struggled mightily, slashing just .156/.206/.250. But those numbers aren't nearly as important as working back into game shape.
Per Yankees writer James Wagner, Boone plans to give the 29-year-old one game off per series. Didi's return also allows the likes of Gio Urshela, DJ LeMahieu, and Gleyber Torres more scheduled days off.
The initial plan when Didi Gregorius (Tommy John surgery) returns Friday is that he’ll probably get one game off a series, per Aaron Boone. Gio Urshela will mostly play 3B. Gleyber Torres and DJ LeMahieu will rotate around the infield. Everyone will get more regular days off.
— James Wagner (@ByJamesWagner) June 5, 2019
Last season, Gregorius hit .268/.335/.494 with 27 homers, 86 RBI and 89 runs scored. Expecting him to replicate anything close to that elite clip would be foolish, but his return is still MASSIVE news for Boone and Co.