Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he doesn’t expect Edwin Encarnacion to start swinging a bat until next week at the earliest while he recovers from a strained oblique.
“We just have to trust the healing process,’’ said Boone, who added Encarnacion is pain-free.
The slugger will continue to do range of motion exercises. On Monday, Encarnacion said he expects to be back before the end of the regular season.
The Yankees are also waiting for the return of Gary Sanchez from a strained groin.
“We’re optimistic by the end of the [regular] season, he’s good to go, but it’ll be close, too,’’ Boone said before the Yankees’ 8-0 win over the Angels on Tuesday night at the Stadium.
To make room for Luis Severino’s return from the IL, Breyvic Valera was designated for assignment.
J.A. Happ is scheduled to make his next start on Thursday as he deals with left biceps tendinitis, which required a cortisone shot on Friday.
“I think it’s helped a bit, for sure,’’ Happ said.
He’s hoping to stay on somewhat regular rest rather than take extra time between outings.
“I feel like it’s an issue I can pitch through,’’ Happ said. “I’d like to keep going.”
Boone had no hesitation in saying Happ would go on Thursday with no restrictions.
He also said Domingo German could follow CC Sabathia in Wednesday’s game, as the pair did in Detroit last week. But German also may start again this season as the Yankees try to figure out how to best deploy their pitching staff down the stretch and into the postseason.
“A lot of things go into that,’’ Boone said of how the team decides who will start and who might come out of the bullpen. “Every starter that’s started his whole career, it would be an adjustment going to [a relief role]. It may also be a benefit.”