Gerrit Cole, DJ LeMahieu take latest promising steps toward Yankees returns
The Yankees have stayed near the top of the AL East without any contributions from Gerrit Cole or DJ LeMahieu, and both took further steps toward returning Tuesday.
Cole threw another light bullpen prior to the series opener against Houston in The Bronx, with Aaron Boone saying “everything has gone well so far” in the right-hander’s rehab from the elbow inflammation that’s sidelined him since March.
“He’s still got a ways to go on it,’’ Boone said.
Boone said Cole is expected to travel with the team to Tampa Bay, where Cole will be able to get back on a mound at the team’s player development complex in Tampa.
“We’re encouraged by how he’s doing,’’ Boone said.
Boone was also pleased with LeMahieu’s progress.
“He’s had a good few days,’’ Boone said. “I know he’s feeling really [good].”
LeMahieu has had grounders hit at him and has been hitting in the cage.
Barring another setback, LeMahieu is also expected to head to south with the team, with increased baseball activity — including the possibility of live at-bats and work in the infield.
If all goes well there, a rehab assignment shouldn’t be far behind.
LeMahieu’s first attempt at a rehab assignment was cut short when he was unable to get through his first minor league game.
Oswald Peraza, out since the spring with a shoulder strain, began a rehab assignment with Low-A Tampa on Tuesday and had two hits, including a homer.
Asked what role Peraza might have when he’s healthy, Boone noted the infielder would have to go through what amounts to a full spring training, including stops at Double-A Somerset and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before he could return.
Right-hander Nick Burdi (hip) pitched a scoreless inning and hit 98 mph in his rehab game with SWB.
Jasson Dominguez, recovering from a torn UCL in his right elbow suffered after his late-season call-up last year, should play in his first minor league rehab games within the next two weeks, according to Boone.
The outfielder, who got off to an eye-opening start to his major league career in September prior to the injury, with four homers in eight games in September prior to the injury, is doing defensive drills, in addition to taking live batting practice.
“He’s getting close,’’ Boone said.
With Aaron Judge, Alex Verdugo and Juan Soto playing the outfield every day, Trent Grisham on the bench and Giancarlo Stanton at DH, there likely won’t be room in the majors for Dominguez when he’s healthy, unless someone hits the IL.
Stanton’s home run Wednesday was measured by Statcast at 118.8 mph, the hardest-hit homer of the season.
Taylor Trammell was outrighted to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, the Yankees announced.
The outfielder was designated for assignment over the weekend
With right-hander Justin Verlander’s success against lefty hitters, Boone said he chose Tuesday to start Jon Berti at third and Jose Trevino behind the plate, with Oswaldo Cabrera and Austin Wells likely to start the next two games, also with righty starters for Houston.
