If all goes well with his cardiac workup on Monday, Anthony Rizzo could begin what should be a short ramp up later that day.
The first baseman, acquired by the Yankees prior to the trade deadline, has been on the COVID-19 injured list since Aug. 8.
“He was feeling a lot better, even [Saturday],” Aaron Boone said before the Yankees’ 7-5 win over the White Sox on Saturday night in Chicago. “I don’t think he’ll need a lot [of time]. But we’ll see. Let’s see where he’s at physically. He hasn’t been able to do a lot the first five or six days of being out.”
Rizzo is one of several Yankees nearing their return after a bout with the coronavirus.
Catcher Gary Sanchez went through his first full baseball workout on Saturday with Double-A Somerset. That included taking batting practice and defensive work.
“He’s been doing a lot better,” Boone said.
Starting pitchers Gerrit Cole and Jordan Montgomery threw bullpen sessions on Friday and will rejoin the rotation early next week, though the exact days each will start has yet to be determined.
Reliever Clay Holmes, currently on the COVID-19 list, is in Kansas City and is feeling better after dealing with symptoms, according to Boone. The hope is he can be back in New York in the next three-to-four days.
Gio Urshela (hamstring) is doing different running exercises, manager Boone said, but has yet to advance to baseball activities. He recently suffered a setback.
Gleyber Torres (left thumb) will not begin doing baseball activities until he’s pain-free.
Domingo German (shoulder) threw a bullpen session at Somerset on Saturday and Corey Kluber (shoulder) is scheduled to make his second rehabilitation start Tuesday for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre.
There is a “good chance” righty Luis Gil will be one of the Yankees’ two starting pitchers in Tuesday’s doubleheader against the Red Sox at the Stadium, Boone said. Gil has not thrown in a game since throwing five shutout innings against the Mariners on Aug. 8.
The Yankees signed Sal Romano to a minor league deal. The right-hander was designated for assignment by the Yankees last month and claimed off waivers by Milwaukee. After one appearance, Romano was DFA’s by the Brewers and will report back to SWB.
— Additional reporting by Dan Martin in Chicago