MOOSIC, Pa. — Two large suitcases sat next to Curtis Granderson’s locker with a destination, rather than a name, on the luggage tags.
“Bronx, NY” the tags read.
The Yankees center fielder is on his way back to Yankee Stadium. Granderson will be activated in time for Friday’s game with the Indians after nearly four weeks on the disabled list with a strained left groin.
“[I’m] ready to jump right in,” Granderson said after going 0-for-2 with an intentional walk while playing center field for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday.
Granderson said he is 90-95 percent and now wants to see how the leg feels during lengthy Yankees games and playing back-to-back long games.
“The actual injury itself feels good,” Granderson said before Thursday’s game. “There have been no issues running the bases or out of the box or playing the outfield.”
Against Syracuse, Granderson got to test the leg out on back-to-back fly balls in the third inning. One forced him to change direction, something he had not done since hurting the leg on May 1.
He roped one ball to the warning track, but was robbed by Pete Orr. After an intentional walk, Granderson ran hard on a fly ball from first to second but when he saw the ball was going to be caught he eased up.
“It’s still hard to get it going,” Granderson said. “I was hoping it was hit to the gap so I have to go.”
SWB played a doubleheader with Syracuse but Granderson was on his way back to New York shortly after the first game ended.
He left New York a week ago after watching the first inning at Citi Field between the Yankees and Mets. He joined SWB in Louisville and alternated between center field and designated hitter.
During the four weeks out of the lineup, Granderson said the scariest thing has been awaiting his comeback.
“Wondering how it will be when I come back (has been tough),” Granderson said. “Will it be 100 percent when I get back? This isn’t Opening Day either. It’s the end of May. I’ve got to be able to win when I get back.”
The Yankees were 13-10 without Granderson entering their game in Minnesota. Granderson could help the Yankees’ scuffling offense, which has struggled to score runs lately.
“We haven’t really gotten going all season,” Granderson said. “You have a guy here or there that does the job but we’re not getting 20 hits or 20 runs. But we’re still winning games and that’s all that matters.”
Joe Girardi is anxious to get Granderson back.
“We have been shuffling guys around in the outfield,’’ Girardi said. “He had some pretty big hits and we miss his good defense.’’
Kevin Russo is the likely choice to be sent to SWB to make room for Granderson. However, Russo started four straight games in left field over switch-hitter Randy Winn.
Because the Yankees are paying Winn $1.1 million, they may not want to designate him for assignment even though he is hitting .213 (13-for-61).
With George A. King III