SEATTLE — The Yankees could get a full trifecta of returns when they open their series on Friday at Dodger Stadium.
Josh Donaldson and Tommy Kahnle had been pinpointed to be activated off the injured list for this series, but Giancarlo Stanton could join them despite only having played in one rehab game.
“There’s a chance. We’ll see,” manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday before his team’s 1-0, 10-inning loss to the Mariners at T-Mobile Park. “It’s definitely in play.”
After the game, the Yankees began informing players of roster moves to make room for the trio, though they did not immediately announce the transactions.
The expected moves were to option the slumping Oswaldo Cabrera, outfielder Franchy Cordero and reliever Matt Krook to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Stanton, Donaldson and Kahnle all played for Double-A Somerset on Tuesday before getting a full workout in on Wednesday at Yankee Stadium.
They were expected to fly to Los Angeles together to meet the Yankees, who will then make the final call on their readiness before activating them.
“I feel like for the most part, they’re ready to go,” Boone said.
Donaldson, out since April 6 with a right hamstring strain, has played in four rehab games over the past week.
Kahnle, out since spring training with right biceps tendinitis, has pitched in five games over the past two weeks.
Stanton, meanwhile, played Tuesday for the first time since he went on the IL April 16 with a left hamstring strain. But the veteran slugger has put in enough work behind the scenes, the Yankees believe, that he could be ready to jump back into MLB games on Friday.
“There’s so many tools we have now that you can replicate, better than ever, at-bats and things like that,” Boone said. “In Giancarlo’s case, he’s been doing a lot of physical stuff as far as outfield work and the running buildup. But the hitting side of things, what they’re able to do behind the scenes to speed up that curve, has grown exponentially, even over the last couple of years. So no, I’m not too worried about that.”
When Stanton returns, he will DH only for the “first couple weeks,” Boone said, as the Yankees build him up to return to occasional outfield starts.
Harrison Bader did some light agility work in the outfield Wednesday, a day after he landed on the IL with a right hamstring strain.
His frustration with the injury was palpable, but he did not fight the team about going on the IL.
“I can’t play at the speed at which I know I can to help this team,” Bader said.
Boone said Bader, who has a “low-grade” strain, could be out a couple of weeks.
Anthony Rizzo (stiff neck) took early batting practice and fielding work, but missed a third straight game.
Boone said he is “hoping and expecting” to have Rizzo in the lineup Friday.
Greg Allen had an injury scare in the seventh inning on Wednesday when he jammed his left shoulder into the right-field wall trying to make a catch.
But he remained in the game and said he just had some “scrapes and bruises.”