Josh Donaldson goes on COVID IL after Tim Anderson controversy
Joey Gallo and Kyle Higashioka remained on the COVID IL on Monday and they were joined by Josh Donaldson.
All three had symptoms, but none had tested positive, as of game time on Monday.
Boone said if Gallo and Higashioka tested negative again and felt better, they could be back “soon.”
All three remained away from the Stadium on Monday, since they were still dealing with symptoms.
In the meantime, Estevan Florial and Rob Brantly remained on the Yankees’ roster, with Miguel Andujar called up as a replacement player from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Monday.
Florial (0-for-3) started in center on Monday, with Brantly and Andujar on the bench.
It also meant the struggling Aaron Hicks was back in the lineup.
Hicks snapped out of a 2-for-37 rut with hits in consecutive games over the weekend and reached base twice more in Monday’s loss.
With the Yankees in need of a spot starter on Wednesday due to Sunday’s doubleheader and a lack of off days on the schedule, Boone said JP Sears would “likely” get the nod.
Sears had two scoreless outings out of the bullpen with the Yankees earlier in the season, but has been stretched out at SWB.
The left-hander has thrown at least 59 pitches in each of his last three outings (two starts) with SWB. Over his previous five appearances, Sears has given up just one earned run in 19 ¹/₃ innings and just eight hits and a pair of walks, while striking out 19.
Luis Gil, who made the last spot start needed by the Yankees, is out for the season due to Tommy John surgery. Domingo German (shoulder) is “doing really well,” according to Boone, but remains “a ways [away]” from being built up enough to start.