Status of injured Yankees on the comeback trail, and which players might be impacted

NorthJersey.com

TAMPA, Fla. – Any regular season Yankees trip to the Tampa Bay area usually means a checkup of players rehabbing from injuries at their minor league complex.

Just as often, a 40-man roster player will remain here as the team moves on, as was the case early this week with Gerrit Cole and DJ LeMahieu.

Both players stayed for workouts at the complex Monday while the Yankees flew to Minneapolis to begin a three-game series Tuesday night against the Minnesota Twins.

Here’s a look at the current progress of some key Yankees, estimates for their return date, and what impact they might have once they’ve returned to the majors.

DJ LeMahieu

Status: On the injured list due, rehabbing from a non-displaced fracture atop his right foot.

Activity: After ramping up baseball activity at Tropicana Field and the Yankees’ Tampa complex last weekend, including infield drills and live batting practice, LeMahieu is scheduled for another live BP round on Tuesday at Tampa.

If that goes as planned, LeMahieu could resume a minor league rehab assignment by midweek, perhaps beginning with Class A Tampa and moving up to Class A Hudson Valley or Class AA Somerset.

Due date: On this track, LeMahieu could be ready on, or slightly before, May 24, when the Yankees begin a three-city, West Coast road trip.

Players impacted: LeMahieu’s return would force the Yankees to make a roster move.

Jahmai Jones is out of minor league options and could be lost on a waiver claim, so the team might choose to option Oswaldo Cabrera to Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, though Cabrera is a switch-hitter and more defensively versatile than the right-handed Jones, mainly a second baseman.

Cabrera and Jon Berti have lately been platooning at third base, which would become LeMahieu’s regular position upon his return.

LeMahieu can also occasionally give first baseman Anthony Rizzo a break, and LeMahieu can handle second base, providing another lineup option with Gleyber Torres still trying to find his offensive stride.

Gerrit Cole

Status: On the IL, due to right elbow nerve irritation.

Activity: At Tampa, Cole was expected to throw his fourth bullpen session Tuesday, following a 29-pitch bullpen Saturday at Tropicana Field, in which he incorporated 13 breaking pitches.

Due date: There’s yet to be a public target date for Cole to resume throwing to live batters, though that next step of his rehab is coming soon.

Considering he’s still in the early stages of a second spring training, and given the club’s caution with high-priced talent, Cole’s return to the rotation might be on an early July track.

Players impacted: We’re a long way off from July, and a lot of things can impact the rotation before then.

Nestor Cortes’ performance bears watching, as does Luis Gil’s workload.

Yes, the Yankees have not put any public innings restrictions on Gil, but he’s essentially coming off two lost seasons due to rehab from Tommy John surgery, and he’s never pitched more than 96 affiliated professional innings in one year, which he did in 2019.

Tommy Kahnle

Status: On the IL, due to right shoulder discomfort.

Activity: The right-hander's third minor league rehab appearance is scheduled for Tuesday at Class AA Somerset.

Due date: Both Kahnle and the Yankees anticipated he'd require five rehab outings, putting his likely activation period during the May 20-22 home series against Seattle.

Players impacted: Kahnle's return to an otherwise healthy bullpen might mean farewell to right-hander Michael Tonkin, claimed off waivers from the Mets on April 25.

In recent other bullpen updates, manager Aaron Boone mentioned that Lou Trivino had a setback in his rehab from Tommy John surgery and was in the second week of a three-to-four-week shutdown, while fellow right-hander Scott Effross (TJ rehab, back surgery) was close to throwing to live hitters.

Oswald Peraza

Status: On the IL, due to a strained right shoulder.

Activity: Peraza has played in four minor league rehab assignments through Sunday, alternating weekend games with Class AA Somerset as both a shortstop and DH, going a combined 1-for-6 with a home run.

Due date: Peraza's 20-day rehab stint began on May 7, putting his readiness timeline at the end of this month.

Players impacted: Barring injury to one of the Yankees' current infielders, Peraza might likely be optioned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, with the idea that he needs additional, regular playing time to build back.

Jasson Dominguez

Status: On the IL, due to recovery from Tommy John surgery, right elbow.

Activity: The switch-hitting center fielder was due to begin a minor league rehab assignment Tuesday at Class A Tampa.

Due date: It's early June, based on his rehab clock, but the Yankees might choose to keep him at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre longer to aid his rhythm and timing at the plate and to strengthen his throwing arm. Dominguez will only serve as DH for the first two weeks.

Players impacted: "We'll cross that bridge when we get there,'' said Boone, but if it's a tough decision "that means good things are happening here.''

Instead of taking back center field from Aaron Judge, Dominguez might find more time as a left fielder, cutting into Alex Verdugo's at-bats, and some of DH Giancarlo Stanton's at-bats.