Aaron Choose did some gentle work within the batting cage on Tuesday, marking his first hitting session since he went on the injured record with a proper flexor pressure on Sunday.
Aaron Boone had not spoken to the slugger about his tee and toss work previous to the supervisor’s pregame press convention. Nevertheless, Boone mentioned, “I’m assuming it was probably fine,” when requested if Choose skilled any ache.
Boone nonetheless expects and hopes to have Choose again after 10 days on the IL however added, “We’ll listen to the body and the trainers and him and see where we’re at.”
Choose is eligible to return on August 5 with the Yankees in Texas. He’ll solely DH at first. If all goes properly, he’ll start a throwing program someday between August 8 and 13.
Boone reiterated that Choose’s greatest concern is throwing, however that he’s slightly compromised gripping a bat as properly.
“It wasn’t something that was too bad,” Boone mentioned.
The Yankees will hope that is still the case as Choose continues together with his hitting development.
The plan is for Choose to maintain doing gentle cage work by way of the top of the Yankees’ homestand on Thursday. He might ramp up velocity, by way of a pitching machine, this weekend.
IS ESCARRA IN ‘THE RIGHT SITUATION?’
With Austin Wells entrenched because the Yankees’ beginning catcher and Ben Rice getting some probabilities behind the plate, there haven’t been many alternatives for J.C. Escarra to play. The backstop has solely appeared in 39 video games this season, and 33 of these got here earlier than July. But the Yankees haven’t despatched the optionable catcher to Triple-A.
A feel-good, early-season story, Escarra has had some success in his restricted alternatives, producing 5 doubles, two homers and 10 RBI together with his left-handed swing. Extra notable is that he’s baseball’s finest framer, making him an intriguing commerce chip with the July 31 deadline simply days away.
With that in thoughts, Boone’s feedback about Escarra have been fascinating on Tuesday.
“J.C. hasn’t got that run,” Boone mentioned whereas discussing all three of the Yankees’ receivers. “I believe that if he was in the right situation, I really think he could be an everyday catcher, both defensively and offensively.”
With the Yankees in want of pitching — controllable relievers can be particularly useful — Escarra might be value greater than some would assume, because the 29-year-old rookie is pre-arbitration and performs a place that isn’t all that sturdy throughout the game. The Yankees, in the meantime, have an excellent popularity for growing catchers.
Again in June, Tanner Swanson, the Yankees’ director of catching, acknowledged that questions over Escarra’s future have been “fair speculation.”
RYNO REFLECTIONS
The baseball world misplaced a Corridor of Famer on Monday, as Ryne Sandberg died following a battle with metastatic prostate most cancers. He was 65.
A Cubs legend and the most effective second basemen of all-time, Sandberg debuted with the Phillies in 1981. Boone’s dad, Bob, performed in Philadelphia that 12 months, so the Yankees skipper first bought to know Sandberg as a prospect earlier than following his profession in Chicago. Boone even had Sandberg’s Nike poster on his wall as a child.
“Just a really gracious, really great guy gone too early that obviously had an amazing career,” mentioned Boone, who additionally crossed paths with Sandberg when the previous labored at ESPN and the latter managed the Phillies. “So a sad day for our sport, especially for the Cubs and what he meant to that franchise. Certainly, thoughts and prayers are with him and his family the last couple days.”
INJURY UPDATES
With Luis Gil (lat) making his closing rehab begin on Tuesday — he was anticipated to throw 75 pitches at Triple-A — Boone mentioned the plan is for him to make his season debut as a starter Sunday in Miami.
Mark Leiter Jr. (fractured leg) is scheduled to throw stay batting apply this Thursday. If that goes properly, he might seem in a minor league rehab sport over the weekend. The Yankees hope to have him rejoin their battered bullpen in Texas subsequent week.
Fernando Cruz (indirect) mentioned that he’ll throw his first bullpen session since getting damage on Friday. He’s nonetheless a short time away from returning, although.
Lastly, hot-hitting prospect Spencer Jones (again spasms) returned to the lineup at Triple-A on Tuesday.
Initially Revealed: July 29, 2025 at 6:00 PM EDT
