For the second time in four games, the Yankees are facing injury concerns in center field.
After Harrison Bader landed at IL with a hamstring strain in Monday’s game against Seattle, Greg Allen suffered a right hip flexor injury in Friday’s 8-4 Yankees-Dodgers loss.
“I got it,” Allen said when he struck out in the third, but felt it again on the fifth check swing.
This caused manager Aaron Boone and his trainer to visit at bat, but Allen remained in the game and was pinch-hit by Willie Calhoun in the eighth inning.
Allen’s injury could require him to play in the IL, but the Yankees said they would know more on Saturday.
“You never know these things, especially when it comes to soft tissue,” Allen said. His speed and defense are largely dependent on his feet. “I hope it’s not a big deal. You just have to take care of it and move on from there.”
Oswaldo Peraza has been in form for the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, hitting 10 homers in his last 14 games Friday with a .371 batting average and a 1.296 OPS. He went 1-for-4 in the SWB’s 6-3 loss to Lehigh Valley.
It’s been a red-hot stretch since he sprained his ankle with the Yankees, necessitating an IL appearance and then earning an option to the SWB.
“The males are doing well,” Boone said. “I could feel it even at the end of spring training. His focus was really strong.”
Boone didn’t think Peraza’s outburst would put Volpe under more pressure, but Volpe was batting .194 with eight home runs and a .631 OPS on Friday.
He went 0-for-4 in the loss.
“Anthony and Os have both supported each other and we know each will be really good players in this league for a long time,” Boone said. “No, I don’t think so.”
Boone said Wednesday night that Oswaldo Cabrera handled relegation to Triple-A “really well.”
The gimmicky utility man was given the option to replace Josh Donaldson after batting .195 and OPS .538 in 50 games.
“I think it’s better for him now to step back and take a step back,” Boone said. “He handles things very well, has a very proper head and plays mature, but I think he was pressing a little bit.
“Hopefully he can go out there and hit the regular at bat, settle down, work on some stuff, and definitely get back on the team. He’s what we’re doing here. It’s a big part of it.”
Carlos Rodon played another bullpen session Friday afternoon at Dodger Stadium, simulating the equivalent of two innings.
Jonathan Roaisiga is still out of action after undergoing surgery to remove a bone spur in his right elbow on May 2, but the Yankees hope to begin a pitching program next week.
Aaron Judge was named the American League Player of the Month on Friday despite being on the injured list since May.
The Yankees slugger got his revenge and returned, posting a .342 batting average (26 for 76), a 1.356 OPS, 12 homers, 25 RBI, 5 doubles, 1 stolen base, and 23 RBIs in 21 games.
