Didi Gregorius slated to make quick return for Yankees

If the Yankees are going to catch Boston, they’re going to need a healthy roster. Fortunately for Aaron Boone, Didi Gregorius is scheduled to return soon.

Gleyber Torres has done a good job filling in for Didi Gregorius at shortstop, but the Yankees will still be glad to see their starter return to the lineup. The good news is Gregorius is progressing nicely from his heel injury and already has a return date set.

The team plans for Gregorius to return to the lineup when the team travels to Oakland on Sept. 3. Ironically, that’s the same date Gary Sanchez should be activated. Getting both big bats back should be a tremendous boost for Aaron Boone’s club.

Yankees fans will still be keeping a close eye to see when Aaron Judge can return, but getting Gregorius back is pretty important in its own right. He gives the team a quality left-handed bat that can punish top-notch right-handed pitching. Given the inability of either Greg Bird or Neil Walker to handle that task consistently, Gregorius’ return will fill a big void for the club.

His return to the diamond at the shortstop position will also allow Torres to move back to second base. That will lessen the need to include either Walker or Ronald Torreyes in the lineup on a daily basis. That will, of course, give Boone a lot more flexibility to make moves late in games. Flexibility like that will be key as the Yankees try to advance in the playoffs.

The best news about Gregorius’ injury is that it shouldn’t prevent him from returning to top form pretty quickly. A bruised heel can rob a player of mobility while the pain remains, but it shouldn’t have any lasting effects. Expect Gregorius to pick up right where he left off within a game or two of his return to the diamond.

The Yankees still have a long way to go before they’re completely healthy, but the return of Gregorius will be a big step in the right direction. His return on the West Coast will give his team a big lift.