ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. — Gary Sanchez is listening to the Yankees’ medical staff about returning to the lineup during the final week of the season.
When the Yankees took the Tropicana Field before Tuesday’s 2-1, 12-inning loss to the Rays, however, there were five games remaining to see if Sanchez’s left groin is healthy enough to help the Yankees in the ALDS.
“They have a plan and I have to follow it,’’ said Sanchez, who last played in the second game of a doubleheader in Detroit on Sept. 10.
Asked if he had a game pegged to return, the All-Star catcher was looking at some time in Arlington, Texas, this coming weekend when the Yankees close the season with three dates against the Rangers.
“Might not be Tampa, but the next series in Texas,’’ said Sanchez, after taking batting practice, running the bases and catching Masahiro Tanaka and James Paxton in the bullpen Tuesday afternoon. It was the first time Sanchez had squatted to catch pitches since feeling tightness in the groin area. “Don’t know the date, but shooting for that.’’
Because the rosters expanded on Sept. 1, teams don’t have to place an injured player like Sanchez on the injured list. Yet, if this had taken place earlier in the regular season, Sanchez would have been shelved for the third time this season. He was on the IL from April 12-24 with a strained left calf and went on the IL on July 24 with a strained left groin. He came back from that on Aug. 10.
According to Aaron Boone, Edwin Encarnacion will likely return from a strained left oblique problem against the Rangers.
“Probably wait until Friday. I feel like he is probably ready. He is kind of pushing to get in there [Wednesday] but with the off day [Thursday] and the ability to play three in a row in Texas my inclination and the conversation I have had with him is to wait till Friday but we will revisit it,’’ Boone said of the DH/first baseman, who suffered the injury on Sept. 12 in the first game of that twin bill.
Encarnacion, who has hit 13 of his 34 homers in 44 games with the Yankees, could get a dozen at-bats against the Rangers. The Yankees won’t open the ALDS until Oct. 4, so he can face live pitching for four days. Tuesday he hit, ran and did fielding drills.
“I feel confident he should be able to get into a pretty good rhythm,’’ Boone said of Encarnacion.
As for Sanchez, Boone wouldn’t commit to a return date.
“Not yet, hoping it will be this weekend at some point,’’ said Boone, who ruled out Sanchez staying in Tampa to play in an Instructional League game. Sanchez will travel to Texas with the Yankees following Wednesday night’s game. “He is a little bit behind Edwin. There are a few more things for him to pass, but he is doing well. I feel like he is close but don’t have a definitive date yet.’’
Sanchez, whose 34 homers are second to Gleyber Torres’ 38 among Yankees, is pleased with the progress he has made.
“I feel good. Everything I did, nothing bothered me,’’ Sanchez said. “That is what you are looking for.’’
The Yankees added Giancarlo Stanton’s bat to the lineup last week. Should Encarnacion and Sanchez return this week they would strengthen a very deep lineup and put the Yankees in position to slug with any postseason opponent they draw.
First, they have to make it back. Second, they have to remain healthy enough to help.