PHOENIX -- The Yankees are expecting to pick up some reinforcements from the disabled list this week, as Alex Rodriguez and CC Sabathia are both on track to re-join the active roster for the upcoming series against the Athletics in Oakland.
Rodriguez took early batting practice and ran on the field Monday at Chase Field, and manager Joe Girardi said that he believes Rodriguez will be ready to return to the lineup as the designated hitter on Thursday.
"Just taking BP, he'll continue to run and hopefully he'll be ready to go here," Girardi said of Rodriguez, who declined to speak to reporters.
Sabathia is in line to start on Friday against the A's. The 35-year-old is 2-2 with a 3.81 ERA in five starts this year and has been on the disabled list with a left groin strain, sustained as he rolled back the clock with seven scoreless innings against the Orioles in Baltimore on May 4.

Rodriguez, 40, has been on the 15-day disabled list since May 4 with a right hamstring strain. Though he is batting just .194 with five home runs and 12 RBIs in 20 games, he had been warming up prior to his injury, hitting three homers in his last five games.
Girardi said that it turned out to be a fortunate timing, in a way, that Rodriguez is not active for the three games against the D-backs. As a designated hitter, he would have been limited to only pinch-hitting appearances in a National League park.
"Now you look at the guys on your bench, they can also play the field, which helps, too," Girardi said. "It gives you a little bit more flexibility than just a pinch-hitter."