BALTIMORE -- The Yankees are expecting to open the second half of their season with Gary Sanchez back in the lineup, according to manager Aaron Boone.
Sanchez was placed on the 10-day disabled list on June 25 with a Grade 1 right groin strain. After taking some time away from baseball activities to recover, he has made major progress.
"He did a lot today," Boone said prior to Wednesday's finale vs. the Orioles. "Ran a lot today, threw to bases, doing his catching work, I would say he is feeling really well. We haven't made the plans about when he's going [on a rehab assignment], but I would say he's getting close to being in that position."
Sanchez will most likely be sent on a rehab assignment during the All-Star break next week, although Boone said that he and his coaching staff have yet to decide if Sanchez will make more than one rehab appearance.
Prior to his injury, Sanchez was slashing .190/.291/.433 with 14 home runs and had hit just .121 with 16 strikeouts in 15 June games.
While Masahiro Tanaka was on the DL with mild strains in both hamstrings, Boone said that he hoped the time off would end up being beneficial at the end of the season. And even though the Yankees are ready to have Sanchez back behind the plate, Boone said that the same could be true.
"Being a Major League catcher, it's as demanding of a position, obviously, as there is," Boone said. "So, yeah, hopefully this is something that maybe allows him to be a little fresher come late in the season. But I'm looking forward to getting him back in there."
This date in Yankees history
July 11, 2010: Longtime public address announcer Bob Sheppard passed away at his home in Baldwin, N.Y., at age 99.