New York Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius to return to the lineup Friday after undergoing Tommy John surgery in October of 2018.
The New York Yankees are adding one of their most-potent bats back into the lineup. Yankees manager Aaron Boone told WFAN that Didi Gregorius will return to action on Friday against the Cleveland Indians.
This is Gregorius’ first time playing baseball this season. The veteran shortstop underwent Tommy John surgery in October of last year.
“I don’t think I have to tell you guys what he has meant to our club in so many ways,” Boone said prior to Thursday’s game, per George A. King III of the New York Post. “To get a player like him back is exciting. Obviously, having a significant injury, the fact that everything has gone best-case scenario as far as him rehabbing, getting well and being in position to return now it is exciting for all of us.”
Gregorius’ spot at the shortstop position has been taken over by Gleyber Torres for the majority of the season. Now, Torres will move one spot over in the infield to second base.
The Yankees have seen numerous injuries to their big bats this year. Gregorius, Aaron Judge, and Giancarlo Stanton have all missed significant time.
New York has played well despite the injuries so far this year, however. They’re currently atop the AL East with a 39-22 record, 1.5 games ahead of the Tampa Bay Rays.
Gregorius had a great season for the Yankees in 2018. He compiled a .268 batting average with 27 home runs and 86 RBI.
The Yankees and Indians play in Cleveland on Friday night at 7:10 p.m. ET. It’ll be the fourth of their six-game road trip before they return to the Bronx to face the New York Mets on Monday.
