There’s positive news on the injury front for the New York Yankees. Infielder Jon Berti, who has been sidelined for the past two weeks due to a left groin strain, is gearing up for a rehab assignment. According to reports, Berti will begin his rehab stint with Double-A Somerset on Sunday.
Given the relatively short duration of his injury, Berti’s expected ramp-up process shouldn’t take long. He’s likely to rejoin the active roster soon after demonstrating recovery progress in rehab games.
However, the return to the mound for star pitcher Gerrit Cole remains on a slower track. While recovering from arm inflammation, Cole missed the Yankees’ recent seven-game road trip. The good news is that he anticipates resuming throwing sessions before the trip concludes. This will likely be followed by a rehab assignment, paving the way for a potential return in June.
Cole himself has emphasized the importance of a cautious approach to his rehabilitation, prioritizing a complete recovery over a rushed comeback. While a definitive timeline is yet to be established, his earliest possible return is projected for late May. On a positive note, Cole recently extended his throwing distance to 120 feet during a session, suggesting a progression toward bullpen sessions soon.
In other injury updates, top prospect outfielder Jasson Dominguez continues his rehab journey from Tommy John surgery performed last fall. According to the manager, the 21-year-old is currently throwing from 135 feet. The Yankees are prioritizing a patient approach with Domínguez, aiming for a summer return for the highly-touted young player. In the meantime, the Yankees’ offense will need to sustain its momentum to bridge the gap until his return.
Yankees’ LeMahieu escapes major setback
Despite facing a significant wave of injuries, the New York Yankees haven’t missed a beat. They’ve managed to claw their way to victories thanks to an improved offense, fueled in large part by the arrival of slugger Juan Soto, and a resilient pitching staff.
The Yankees’ fight has been all the more impressive considering the lengthy absences of key players. Both the 2023 AL Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole and All-Star utility man D.J. LeMahieu have been sidelined for significant stretches. These are just two names on a long list of injuries the Yankees have battled through this season.
While LeMahieu was initially set for a rehab assignment, he experienced foot soreness that forced him to withdraw from the game. This setback led to a week-long shutdown. The positive news is that the manager confirmed that LeMahieu’s fracture has fully healed, as reported by media sources.
While the lingering foot swelling is a cause for concern, the confirmation of a healed fracture marks significant progress for LeMahieu. If the swelling subsides, he could be back on a minor league rehab assignment soon, paving the way for a return to the Yankees’ lineup.
Cole is progressing well with his throwing program and is nearing the next stage of his recovery, which could include minor league rehab appearances. His return appears close, giving the Yankees a major boost, potentially propelling them to even greater heights in the coming weeks.
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I don’t trust any of this reporting. Whatever Boone says, has first been cleared by the front office, and I honestly believe that there are non medical people very heavily involved in making the rehab/activation decisions.