NEW YORK -- Gleyber Torres wouldn't want to miss an opportunity to hit in one of his favorite ballparks. As the Yankees prepare to open a four-game series with the Orioles starting on Friday, they could welcome the shortstop back to the lineup by the end of the weekend, manager Aaron Boone said.

Torres has reported to the Yankees' alternate training site in Moosic, Pa., where he will test his left hamstring and quadriceps strains by garnering live at-bats. If all goes according to plan, Boone said that Torres could travel on Saturday and rejoin the active roster for Sunday's series finale in Baltimore.

"I'm just trying to prepare myself every day to help my team," Torres said. "That kind of injury is a little bit of a slow process. I'm just making sure everything's all right, so when I'm back to play, I don't feel anything. I just try to play 100 percent and try to do my best with my teammates."

Torres crushed Orioles pitching last season, posting a .394/.467/1.045 slash line with 13 home runs and 20 RBIs in 18 games, including an otherworldly .400/.500/1.167 slash line with seven homers and 10 RBIs in nine games at Camden Yards.

Torres has struggled to recapture that same magic in 2020, however, recording a .231/.341/.295 slash line with one homer and six RBIs in 24 games before sustaining the dual injuries while running to first base on Aug. 20 against the Rays at Yankee Stadium.

"I always just want to help my team," Torres said. "Seeing too many games, doubleheaders almost every day, I feel frustration because I can't do anything to help my team. Now I'm feeling really well, so I think it's my time to get back in and try to help a little bit more."

Comeback trail
Saturday will mark four weeks since Giancarlo Stanton sustained a left hamstring strain, and though the designated hitter is said to be running at 75 to 80 percent, Boone said there is no set date for his anticipated return to the lineup.

"He has been throwing and hitting and everything, so it's more getting over that last hurdle to where he can really start to let it go from a running standpoint," Boone said. "Then we can start to think about getting him into some game activities and stuff. It's still a bit of ways away."

'Terrific' tale
As the baseball world mourns the passing of Tom Seaver, Boone shared a personal anecdote about the Hall of Famer, who was a contemporary of his father, Bob. According to Boone, the Seavers were guests at the Boones' New Jersey home during the 1981 player strike.

"My dad was a National League rep and the Seavers came and stayed with us for like a week," Boone recalled. "I was 8 years old. Tom and I were out messing around town, and Tom was on a moped.

"I actually jumped on the back to get on the moped with him and burned my calf on the muffler. I still have a scar on my calf from jumping on the back of a moped with Tom Seaver. What a great life, what a great man."

Bombers bits
Infielder Jordy Mercer has accepted an outright assignment to the Yankees' alternate training site.

First baseman Mike Ford has changed his uniform number to No. 36. Ford had been wearing No. 72.

Left-hander James Paxton (left flexor strain) has resumed playing catch. The Yankees are hopeful that Paxton can make at least one start by the end of September.

This date in Yankees history
Sept. 3, 1995: Tony Fernandez became the 10th Yankee to hit for the cycle, achieving the feat in a 10-9, 10-inning loss to the Athletics. Fernandez completed his cycle with a ninth-inning double, then came around to score the tying run.

Up next
The Yankees will continue their road trip on Friday, visiting the Orioles for a doubleheader at Camden Yards. Right-hander Deivi García is scheduled to be recalled from the alternate training site to start one of the games; the Yanks' other starter is still to be determined. First pitch of Game 1 is set for 5:05 p.m. ET, with Game 2 to follow approximately 30 to 45 minutes after the end of the first game.