PHOENIX -- DJ LeMahieu was out of the starting lineup for the second consecutive game Wednesday, but he could return to action as early as Friday.

LeMahieu, who originally sustained a deep bruise when he fouled a ball of his body last Friday, left Sunday’s game against the Giants in the middle of the third inning because of discomfort in his right knee. An MRI later revealed inflammation in the joint.

“If there were a situation, a hitting situation, it would have been possible that we used [LeMahieu],” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “I preferred to stay away from him last night, but in a big spot we would have used him.”

For his part, LeMahieu says the knee still feels sore, but “is really close” to being ready to go. He has been jogging and hitting in the cages at Chase Field this week. He walked gingerly around the Yankees’ clubhouse before Wednesday’s series finale.

There was initially some concern about Gio Urshela's left hand, but he appears to be on the mend. The infielder left Sunday’s game after he was hit by an 88.5 mph cutter in the fifth inning and underwent X-rays. He pinch-hit in the eighth inning Tuesday and started at third base Wednesday.

“We are excited that we avoided another injury there,” Boone said. “But he’s been a really good player for us.”

In other injury news, Miguel Andújar (partially torn right labrum in shoulder) and Troy Tulowitzki (left calf strain) are also nearing a return, but Boone stopped short of setting a timetable. Both players are scheduled play another game for Class A Advanced Tampa on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Andujar went 0-for-4 with two errors for the Tarpons. Tulowitzki went 1-for-3 with a home run and was hit by a pitch.

“[Tulowitzki] finished the game and got two more at-bats,” Boone said. “We don’t think it’s serious, but we will see how it is today. He got hit in the leg, in the hamstring.”

Tulowitzki exited Wednesday's game early for precautionary reasons with tightness in his left calf.

Meanwhile, Clint Frazier (left ankle) ran on the field, hit and participated in defensive drills for the second consecutive day Wednesday. He is eligible to come off of the injured list on Friday, and the club is considering its options.

He said it
“My respect has just grown for him, knowing what he has been through and knowing the kind of career path he has taken, to be able to still be this relevant and important a pitcher at this point of his career. This is a guy that is retiring at the end of the year, but certainly can continue on pitching because he’s still a very good pitcher.” -- Boone on CC Sabathia, who struck out his 3,000th hitter in the second inning Tuesday