TORONTO — Joey Gallo was on the field and hit after batting practice Monday, but the left fielder was out of the starting lineup for the second straight day. Gallo left Saturday’s game in Kansas City with a “tight left groin,” and is day-to-day.
“So he was doing better today. And actually, yesterday was an okay day but today it was a little bit better,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said before Monday night’s series opener against the Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre.
“As far as evaluating them, going through his treatment, warming up in the weight room and everything — we’ll have a better idea when we get out here on the field and he’s able to do some more work and have a better evaluation of that.”
Gallo said he felt good before he went to hit in batting practice. He said he had actually hit a little bit on Sunday and felt fine too. Boone said there would be a chance he could pinch hit Monday.
STILL HERE
Miguel Andujar was optioned to Triple-A on Sunday evening when the rosters had to be cut from 28 to 26, but the infielder/outfielder didn’t actually go to Scranton. Andujar came to Canada with the Yankees on their taxi squad.
“We just taxi squaded him, because just a little bit of the uncertainty around Joey Gallo and with COVID protocols, it’s something that we’re allowed to do so we just kind of wanted to make sure we’re covered,” Boone said. “Especially coming across the border and stuff. Just in case we get in a situation where we need someone. “
Andujar, who has been the odd man out since losing his starting third base job when he was injured in 2019, went 2-for-4 and scored a run Sunday. That was his only start after being called up last Tuesday when Aaron Hicks went on the paternity list.
GONE STREAKING
Josh Donaldson has hit safely in a season-high five straight games and has reached base safely in each of his last 11 games, dating back to April 19. Over the last five games, he is hitting .294/.455/.412 with a run scored, a double, two RBI and five walks.
Overall, the 36-year old third baseman is hitting .208/.345/.361 with a .706 OPS and two home runs.
“I still feel like JD is working to get to that place where he’s kind of locked in,” Boone said. “He’s been grinding, but given us those couple of really tough at-bats each and every day.”
()