The Yankees still expect Domingo German to give them some important innings down the stretch despite having been out since July.
“That’s the hope,’’ Aaron Boone said.
The right-hander began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday and tossed two scoreless innings, striking out four and throwing 25 pitches. He hadn’t pitched since July 31, on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation.
Boone left open the possibility German might be back with the Yankees by this weekend for his next appearance, which would be out of the bullpen, since there’s not enough time left in the season to build him up to be a starter. He would likely be limited to 30-45 pitches.
“We expect him to be part of this sooner than later,’’ Boone said.
Michael King also could play a vital role in the pen. He tossed three scoreless innings Tuesday.
Boone said the right-hander could find himself in various roles, especially with injuries plaguing the bullpen — including Jonathan Loaisiga, who is on the IL with a right shoulder strain and has yet to resume a throwing program.
Luis Severino is expected to face batters this week as he tries to come back from the shoulder tightness that stalled his rehab from Tommy John surgery, which was already set back by a strained groin.
Boone said there still wasn’t much clarity regarding the dizziness Aaron Judge felt on Sunday, when he was removed from the game against the Mets and still felt on Monday, when he played all nine innings and hit a homer against the Twins in The Bronx.
Judge homered again Tuesday and made an excellent running catch in right.
“We feel pretty good about where he is and how he’s feeling,’’ Boone said. “We’ll continue to monitor him and do some things to make sure he’s good to go. I’m not overly concerned.”
After playing left field at Citi Field over the weekend, Giancarlo Stanton was back there Tuesday at Camden Yards, with Joey Gallo in right.
Boone said he prefers Stanton in right at Yankee Stadium because there’s less space to cover there than left.
“It’s a little bit fluid,’’ Boone said of Stanton’s outfield situation.
Kyle Higashioka started behind the plate with Cole on the mound Tuesday. Boone said he “considered” starting Gary Sanchez. With the possibility of a wild-card game approaching, the Yankees could again be faced with the issue of whether to keep Cole comfortable with Higashioka behind the plate in a must-win game and keep Sanchez on the bench. … Right-hander Sal Romano was signed to a major league contract and Brooks Kriske was designated for assignment.
