Trio of Yankees could be activated for wild-card series

NEW YORK — The New York Yankees will play the Boston Red Sox in the American League wild-card series, which starts Tuesday at Yankee Stadium.  

Before the series starts, however, the Yankees have some injured personnel to think about. Left-hander Ryan Weathers, designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton and outfielder Trent Grisham were involved in live batting practice on Friday. All three could be activated for the series against Boston.

Weathers, who has missed more than a month because of a left flexor strain, was in the rotation for most of the season, but will likely find himself in the bullpen once he is activated. Manager Aaron Boone said Weathers looked healthy during the live session. 

Yankees manager Aaron Boone discusses each player's progress

“It looked like Ryan — stuff-wise. His velo was up to 96. He was a little scattered there in his inning (on the mound). I look forward to flushing it out with the pitching group,” Boone told reporters. 

Stanton hasn’t played in a major league game since April 24 because of a left and right calf strain. He didn’t have any problems hitting the baseball on Friday. Then again, he didn’t run the bases during the session. There have been reports of Stanton becoming a pinch-hitter during WCS, but it depends on how the roster is set up. 

“Obviously, we’ll talk to G (Stanton) and see where he is at — mentally and physically. We’ll do the best we can to make the right decision,” Boone said. 

Grisham is the closest to coming back. He missed 20 games because of a right hamstring strain.

“He has checked a lot of the boxes and has gone through his running progression,” Boone indicated.      

When he returns, Grisham most likely will return as the starting center fielder, while Spencer Jones will switch over to right if Aaron Judge isn’t ready to go. Judge has been dealing with a moderate right calf strain.  

Grisham was in a 2-for-26 slump when he injured himself against the Padres on Sept. 4.  For the season has a slash line of .211/.308/.395 with 18 home runs and 59 RBI.      

All quotations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.