Yankees catch break as DJ, Gio avoid IL

PHOENIX – The number of Yankees players on the injured list is staying put for now.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said both DJ LeMahieu (right knee inflammation) and Gio Urshela (left hand) are both available for this week’s series against the D-backs as pinch-hitters off the bench and are not going on the IL.

The Yankees already have a Major League-leading 13 players on the injured list.

“We feel pretty good about it. Obviously, [LeMahieu,] has got lots of tests done and he’s improved each and every day,” Boone said. “He may not be in there [Wednesday], but with the off-day behind it, we feel good it’s just a couple of days kind of thing.”

LeMahieu, who originally sustained a deep bruise when he fouled a ball off himself last Friday, left Sunday’s game against the Giants in the middle of the third inning because of discomfort in the knee. An MRI later revealed inflammation in the joint. LeMahieu jogged and hit in the cages Tuesday before the first game of the series against the D-backs.

The infielder has played in 27 of the Yankees’ 28 games and leads the team with 31 hits.

As for Urshela, who left the game after he was hit by an 88.5 mph Nick Vincent cutter in the fifth inning on Sunday, he could return to the starting lineup Wednesday. Urshela hit in the batting cages and fielded ground balls Tuesday afternoon. X-rays taken Sunday came back negative.

In other injury news, Clint Frazier (left ankle) ran on the field, hit and participated in defensive drills Tuesday. He will undergo a series of tests during the next two days before the club decides on the next course of action.

Miguel Andujar is scheduled to play third base in another extended spring game Monday, then join Class A Advanced Tampa for a rehab assignment starting on Tuesday. Troy Tulowitzki (left calf strain) is scheduled start an extended spring camp game Monday at designated hitter.