DJ LeMahieu is on the verge of starting a rehab assignment and his replacement remains healthy.
Oswaldo Cabrera had two more hits on Sunday, including a four-run RBI in the fifth inning that was key to the Yankees’ 5-4 win over the Rays in the Bronx.
The third baseman is batting .303 with an .838 OPS and 14 RBIs in 18 games this season, which ranks second on the team behind Juan Soto.
Cabrera did even better with runners in scoring position, posting a .429 batting average and 1.028 OPS.
LeMahieu is scheduled to begin his rehab assignment at Double-A Somerset on Tuesday after being postponed for a few days as doctors wanted the undisplaced fracture to heal a little longer.
But manager Aaron Boone didn’t get ahead of himself when asked how Cabrera would adapt once LeMahieu returns.
“We have a long way to go,” Boone said. “We’re looking forward to hopefully getting that resolved. The biggest thing right now is that Oswald is obviously an important part for us and is doing a great job. We’re concerned about DJ’s health. , I’m excited to be getting ready for rehab and when I get there, I’ll cross that bridge.”
Gleyber Torres went down in pain in the first inning after fouling a ball under his left foot, the same spot he fouled a few days earlier, but eventually got back up and stayed in the game.
“Seeing the way he went down, I was a little nervous that he might have to come out,” Boone said. “But I think as he progressed a little bit, it made him feel better.”
Tommy Kahnle (shoulder) is nearing his second go-around in batting practice.
The reliever, who struggled to recover from a live session in late March, is one bullpen session away from facing batters again.
“I was actually emailing Tommy two days ago and he’s pretty excited about where he’s going physically,” Boone said. “He feels he’s getting where he needs to be. He hopes this is a good sign here.”
Lou Trivino, who is rehabbing from UCL surgery, is doing “very well” and is “a few weeks” away from graduating and taking actual batting practice, Boone said.
Scott Efros, on the other hand, still has a long way to go.
The relief pitcher, who was rehabbing from Tommy John surgery when he underwent back surgery in December, is still only playing catch after suffering a “mild hiccup” while pitching.
“He’s doing pretty well, but not as good as them,” Boone said.
Oswaldo Peraza (shoulder strain) still has a few weeks before he can play in a rehab game, but he is “deeply working on his pitching and hitting progress,” Boone said.
Soto left the clubhouse Sunday wearing an Artemi Panarin Rangers jersey. … Giancarlo Stanton hit clean against a right-hander for the first time this season on Sunday. Boone said that’s because Rays starting pitcher Aaron Civale has a reverse split, and right-handed hitters have historically hit better against him. Stanton was 0-for-2 with two walks.
