Gary Sanchez's road to a return from a right groin strain that has sidelined him since July 24 began Saturday, as the Yankees catcher went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in a rehab game with the Gulf Coast League Yankees.

Sanchez, who served as the designated hitter Saturday, will work out on Sunday in Tampa, Fla., before joining Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre for Monday's game against Lehigh Valley. Manager Aaron Boone has said that Sanchez could be activated in time for the Sept. 3 road trip, when the team is in Oakland.

Additionally, the Yanks promoted right-hander Luis Cessa to the big league roster to serve as the 26th man for Saturday's doubleheader against the Orioles in Baltimore.

Sanchez has now missed 69 games this year due to the injury over a span of two stints on the DL, the first beginning on June 25. After returning, Sanchez aggravated his groin during a July 23 game against the Rays.
Sanchez, 25, is hitting .188/.283/.416 this year with 14 homers and 42 RBIs. Cessa, 26, has been up and down between the Minors while contributing sparingly within the Yanks' beleaguered rotation. Cessa is 1-3 with a 5.60 ERA over nine outings, including four starts.