PHOENIX — With Aaron Judge back on the injured list, the New York Yankees are looking at the possible return of two other regulars in the coming days, manager Aaron Boone said Friday ahead of the team’s 9-2 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field.
Second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr., who went on the injured list last week with a right thumb sprain, should be activated during the Yankees’ upcoming homestand that starts Tuesday, according to Boone. Chisholm has now hit for four straight days after roughly a week without baseball activities, and he has also been throwing over the past couple of days.
“He’s getting very close,” Boone said.
Outfielder Trent Grisham is further behind but making progress from a right hamstring strain. Boone described him as “pretty far into his running progression” and “doing well,” positioning him to potentially be available near the end of the regular season.
Grisham’s path back had looked uncertain given the Yankees’ outfield depth, but Judge’s calf strain may open a window for him to see time in center field against right-handed pitchers, which would shift Spencer Jones to right field.
Left-hander Ryan Weathers, recovering from a left forearm flexor strain, is also trying to work his way back before the playoffs, but Boone said Friday it is “unlikely” Weathers will appear in a game before the regular season ends. Weathers is scheduled to throw a second bullpen session Saturday, after which he could progress to facing hitters in live batting practice. Whether that leaves enough time to earn a postseason bullpen role is still undetermined.
“We’ll see what our needs are and how he looks and if we feel like he’s ready to come in and be a contributor,” Boone said.
In the meantime, shortstop Anthony Volpe has moved back to second base and produced at the plate since being recalled from Triple-A to cover for Chisholm. Volpe has hit .348 with a .965 OPS and four stolen bases over his first seven games back in the majors.
