Yankees’ Austin Slater Progresses on Road to Recovery

Rehab Assignment Underway

CHICAGO — The New York Yankees are on the verge of welcoming one of their key trade deadline acquisitions back to the roster. Austin Slater, who has been sidelined since an hamstring strain on August 4, kicked off his rehab assignment with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday night. In his first game back, he recorded a commendable 2-for-3 performance in just five innings playing left field.

Slater is slated to play again on Sunday and may see action in a third game on Tuesday before the Yankees determine the next steps for his activation.

"We’ll see over the next few days what makes the most sense," Yankees manager Aaron Boone commented prior to a dominant 10-2 win over the White Sox.

Slater’s Impact This Season

The Yankees acquired Slater specifically for his prowess against left-handed pitchers; he boasts an impressive .814 OPS against southpaws this season and a .795 OPS for his career. With the roster expanding to 28 players on Monday, the Yankees will not need to make immediate cuts to accommodate his return.

Potential Alternatives

Given that Slater might not be ready for Tuesday’s series opener against the Houston Astros, the Yankees could opt to summon catcher J.C. Escarra for added bench depth on days when both Ben Rice and Austin Wells are in the lineup.

September Call-Ups Limitations

Fans have been eager for Spencer Jones to make the cut for the September 1 call-ups; however, his inclusion depends on a clear opportunity for him to play, which is currently lacking.

• Teams are now allowed just one extra position player and one extra pitcher, a significant change from the previous system that permitted unlimited September call-ups for players on the 40-man roster.

"I think it’s probably the right thing, just from a competition standpoint," Boone stated. "One team might be playing with 33, the other team might be playing with 27.”

Aaron Judge’s Progress

Meanwhile, Aaron Judge continues his recovery from a flexor strain. On Friday, he participated in throwing drills, which included throwdowns to second base and a cutoff man. There is currently no set timeline for his return to the outfield.

In the meantime, Giancarlo Stanton has stepped up, starting in right field for a second consecutive game, although he won’t be expected to play every game in the series.

Aaron Judge draws a walk during the third inning of the Yankees’ 10-2 victory over the White Sox.

Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s Historic Season

In a stellar display, Jazz Chisholm Jr. stole his 25th base of the season on Friday, making him the sixth Yankee to achieve a 25-homer, 25-steal season. His accomplishments put him in the company of baseball legends like Bobby Bonds, Rickey Henderson, and Alex Rodriguez.

Chisholm has excelled on the bases, going 15-for-15 in steals over his past 27 games. His resurgence can be attributed to improved health after battling a groin issue earlier in the season.

“I finally got my legs back after all the stuff during the middle of the season,” Chisholm remarked. “Now I feel good enough to run every time I get out there.”

Conclusion

As the Yankees navigate the final stretch of the season, the return of players like Austin Slater and the performance of rising stars like Jazz Chisholm Jr. are pivotal. The team is in a competitive spot and will look to utilize every asset in their efforts towards postseason glory.

Stay updated on the latest Yankees news and player developments by following the team’s official channels or platforms like ESPN and MLB.com.