Harrison Bader could be playing for Yankees this week
The Yankees’ Harrison Bader hits an RBI triple against in the bottom of the fourth inning of a spring training game against the Nationals at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Fla., on March 1. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
Harrison Bader could be patrolling centerfield for the Yankees before the end of the week.
Bader, who hasn’t played this season because of a left oblique strain suffered in spring training, was in the clubhouse before Monday night’s game against Cleveland at the Stadium and took batting practice with the team.
Aaron Boone said Bader could be activated on Tuesday.
“I have felt really good and close to ready,” Bader said. “I can’t wait to get back because this is a really good team and I want to help them win games.”
Bader, a defense-first player with a career .245 batting average, has yet to produce at the plate since his minor-league rehab assignment began on April 21. In seven games between Triple-A Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre and Double-A Somerset, he went 3-for-25.
“The reports are he’s looked really good,” Boone said. “I know he hasn’t gotten a ton of hits, but I know he’s been hitting the ball hard. He looks good. He feels good. He’s moving well.”
Severino to start rehab
Luis Severino, out all season with a right lat strain, will begin a rehab assignment with Class A Tampa on Wednesday. Boone said he is scheduled to throw 45 pitches and will need two or three starts after that before joining the Yankees.
“It just depends on getting him built up,” Boone said. “You’d like him to be in that 70, 80 range to feel good about him.”
Loaisiga out until August
Righthanded reliever Jonathan Loaisiga will not be back with the Yankees until at least August. He will have surgery to remove a bone spur in his right elbow on Tuesday and will not throw for three to six weeks before beginning a throwing program.
Roger Rubin returned to Newsday in 2018 to write about high schools, colleges and baseball following 20 years at the Daily News. A Baseball Hall of Fame voter since 2011, he has covered 13 MLB postseasons and 14 NCAA Final Fours.
