SEATTLE — Expecting all the big Yankees names to make it back from the injured list and be in position to contribute in the postseason might be a little too optimistic at this point.
Nevertheless, pitchers Luis Severino and Dellin Betances are taking small but important steps in Tampa, where they are getting closer to pitching in minor league games, and Luke Voit, who went 3-for-5 with two RBIs for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Tuesday night, is scheduled to play one more minor league rehab game and come off the IL on Friday when the Yankees play host to the A’s.
While Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Hicks and Edwin Encarnacion are making progress, Stanton is the only one hitting on the field, and he started that Tuesday night.
Severino said he felt good after a simulated game Tuesday in which the right-hander threw 35 pitches and that he was ready to begin a minor league rehab assignment. Betances is scheduled to face hitters for a second time on Wednesday.
“Really good. Two innings,” Aaron Boone said of Severino. “Threw the ball well, second inning was even sharper. So assuming [he] comes in tomorrow and everything is good to go, probably looking at a Sunday start, probably in Trenton because I think it looks like there is a storm heading to Tampa. We’re taking it a step at a time and seeing how he responds. The plan probably would be Sunday, 35 pitches in the game. Sunday is the next step.’’
Asked if Severino’s return is becoming clearer, Boone said it has been that way for a while.
“Yeah, I picture him very much being a part of things moving forward but I also tread carefully. We’ve done well over the last month with him,’’ Boone said before the Yankees’ 7-0 win over the Mariners on Tuesday night. “I absolutely feel like he is going to be a part of things but the next step is the focus right now.’’
Boone is more focused on getting Severino back than to predict what role he will fill.
“We’ll see. That’s what this month will hopefully declare itself for us and then we can make the best decisions for him and for us going forward,’’ Boone said.