KANSAS CITY -- Didi Gregorius has been adamant that he can beat all estimates for his return to the Yankees, and as he prepares to start the clock on his Minor League rehabilitation assignment, manager Aaron Boone believes he could have the shortstop back in fewer than 20 days.

Gregorius is slated to begin playing for Class A Advanced Tampa on Saturday evening, and Boone said Gregorius is expected to play "at least two or three games" there before likely being promoted to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

"Didi thought he could be ready for Opening Day," Boone said. "Didi is just a ballplayer, man. He's tough. He likes to play. He likes all that goes with it. I haven't been surprised at all. Even when I talked with him in the winter, it was like, 'I'll be ready to go. I'm ready now.' It's good to see that it has gone as well as it has, but now that he's getting closer to an actual return, it's really exciting."

Gregorius is recovering from Tommy John surgery performed last October. He has played shortstop and served as a designated hitter in four extended spring games at the Yankees' complex in Tampa, Fla.

"My timing is not there yet," Gregorius told The Associated Press. "But defensively I'm good. Arm and everything feels good."

Position players can spend up to 20 days on a rehab assignment. Boone said that though Gleyber Torres has impressed as the Yankees' fill-in shortstop, the club will be pleased to reinstate Gregorius to the active roster.

"Didi is such a reliable player; he's so rock steady on defense," Boone said. "To have a premium middle-of-the-diamond defender that can also swing the bat like he does from the left side, and be this steady reliable player -- even though things have gone well, you miss him."

Wait and see
James Paxton said he continued to experience discomfort in his ailing left knee while throwing four innings in an extended spring game on Friday, and the Yankees will wait to see how the left-hander feels on Saturday before determining the next course of action.

"I felt it a little bit, but I still was able to make my pitches, which is what I wanted to see," Paxton said. "If I come in tomorrow with more pain than I had walking in today, then we'll have to do something. But if I come in tomorrow and it feels the same as it did walking in today, then that's just how I'm going to have to pitch for right now."

Paxton allowed one hit and struck out seven against a team of Tigers Minor Leaguers, throwing 42 of 55 pitches for strikes. Boone has said that he hopes to insert Paxton into the rotation on the upcoming homestand.

"He was able to execute his pitches," Boone said. "What we've seen in his bullpens, he's been throwing the ball well, it's coming out well. So the big thing for Pax is going to be [Saturday], how he comes in, how does he respond to going out there and throwing all his pitches. If he comes in feeling pretty well tomorrow, then we move forward. If not, then we have to adjust."

Return of Troy
Troy Tulowitzki logged nine plate appearances in his first simulated game since reinjuring his left calf, and could begin a rehab assignment next week. He continued taking grounders at shortstop, third base and second base, where he worked on turning double plays.

This date in Yankees history
May 24, 1936: The Yankees set their single-game franchise scoring record, defeating the A's, 25-2, at Shibe Park. Tony Lazzeri hit three homers, including two grand slams, setting a still-standing American League record with 11 RBIs.