MEXICO CITY — Aaron Boone seemed confident about Anthony Rizzo being in the Yankees’ lineup for Thursday’s opener in Houston, but not DJ LeMahieu.
The veteran corner infielder is dealing with injuries in the final day of camp, with Rizzo sidelined since Friday with a lat strain and LeMahieu fouling a ball on March 16 with a serious contusion to his right foot and a leg injury. I dragged it.
Boone said Sunday that Rizzo could play in the Yankees’ final Grapefruit League game in Tampa on Monday, but LeMahieu has progressed to outdoor batting practice on Sunday but will not appear in the game. It is further away from.
“DJ isn’t there yet,” Boone said before the Yankees faced Diablos Rojos del Mexico at Estadio Alfredo Harp Hell. “I did a few more things today, but it was still pretty painful to deal with.
“Maybe he’ll get a little more chance for the opener, but we’ll see. It depends on how he improves each day as the days go by on the calendar.”
When asked if LeMahieu could end up on the disabled list, Boone said, “It’s possible, but I don’t know.”
“If it’s just a few days [he would miss]Then maybe not,” Boone said. “Of course, we won’t have to make that decision for a few more days.”
If LeMahieu is required to appear on the IL, the Yankees could push back the schedule by three days and have LeMahieu back in time for the April 5 home opener. In that case, Oswaldo Cabrera will likely be the Yankees’ starting third baseman in Thursday’s opening game. against the Astros.
“We’re going to find out a lot over the next three or four days,” Boone said.
Rizzo’s prognosis was better with the Yankees.
“I expect [Rizzo] We want to be ready for opening day,” Boone said.
Marcus Stroman was sharp in his final spring conditioning, pitching six scoreless innings against the Pirates in Bradenton, Florida. The right-hander had five strikeouts and increased his pitch count to 85 pitches while scattering four hits and two walks.
“I felt like my mechanics were the best all spring, so that’s honestly what I’m most happy with,” Stroman said. “It was fluid and felt the most comfortable on the rubber. It felt like we were getting to the same spot. Today was the most stable we’ve been on the road so far.”
Stroman, who is scheduled to start Saturday’s third game of the season against the Astros, said he has had a “great” spring with the Yankees.
“I feel very calm,” he said. “When he’s calm and fluid, he’s often pretty dangerous on the mound.”
The Yankees optioned relievers Ron Marinacio and Nick Ramirez and starter Cody Poteet to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and reassigned Will Warren to minor league camp.
This effectively leaves right-handers Clayton Beater, Nick Vardy and Dennis Santana competing for the final two bullpen spots.
—Additional reporting by Joel Sherman in Bradenton, Florida.
