Yankees manager Aaron Boone 'can't believe how good' he feels after getting pacemaker

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone underwent surgery to receive a pacemaker on Wednesday at St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa, Fla. Now that he's feeling much better, the 47-year-old is ready to return to the dugout. 

Boone said Friday that he's already feeling the difference from his procedure, according to the New York Post, and is itching to get back to George M. Steinbrenner Field. 

"I can't believe how good I feel," Boone said Friday morning in his first public comments since the surgery. "It makes me really glad that I got this done because I certainly, the last couple months, have not felt anywhere close to how I felt this morning, even [Thursday] morning getting out of the hospital. So excited about it, excited to get back, but really just wanted to extend my gratitude to everyone. I've heard from so many people the past couple days and that's been touching and humbling. I'm just really appreciative of that."

Boone had a pacemaker inserted to address a low heart rate. Before surgery, he was dealing with lightheadedness, low energy and shortness of breath. 

The California native is expected to be back with the team on either Saturday or Sunday after his COVID-19 intake testing is complete. However, it's unclear if that means he'll immediately return to the dugout.

Without Boone, the Yankees suffered a 15-0 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday, their worst loss of spring training. New York is 3-2 in preseason action entering Friday's game against the Detroit Tigers.