NEW YORK _ The Yankees team that squares off with the Red Sox for four games beginning Friday will be closer to full strength than the one that played them in Boston last weekend. Infielder DJ LeMahieu, who missed the final two games at Fenway Park with a groin issue, and outfielder Brett Gardner, who has been on the IL with left knee inflammation, should be players for the Yanks.
LeMahieu and Gardner ran on the field Tuesday and took full early batting practices before the Yankees faced Arizona at Yankee Stadium.
LeMahieu lobbied Aaron Boone hard to start Tuesday night, but the Yankees manager wouldn't bite. Boone thought there was no need to rush him back and called holding him out "just trying to be smart with it as best we can," but he was clearly happy no IL stint was needed. "We'll see where we're at tomorrow if I want to put him back in there," Boone said though he might not play him Wednesday and get him a full week off.
