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BALTIMORE — The Yankees still expect Domingo German to give them some important innings down the stretch despite having been out since July.
“That’s the hope,’’ Aaron Boone said before the Yankees faced the Orioles on Tuesday at Camden Yards.
The right-hander was scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday night. He hasn’t pitched since July 31 after being placed on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation.
Boone left open the possibility German might be back with the Yankees by this weekend for his next appearance, which would be out of the bullpen, since there’s not enough time left in the season to build him up to be a starter and he would likely be limited to 30-45 pitches.
“We expect him to be part of this sooner than later,’’ Boone said.
Luis Severino is expected to face batters this week as he tries to come back from the shoulder tightness that stalled his rehab from Tommy John surgery, which was already set back by a strained groin.
Chad Green entered Tuesday having allowed a homer in each of his previous two appearances and in five of his last dozen.
Boone blamed some of that on overuse.
“I’ve used him a ton and probably unfairly to him,’’ Boone said. “He’s always the one who carries the high-leverage workload.”
That’s especially been the case this season, with Zack Britton sidelined for much of the season, Aroldis Chapman battling ineffectiveness and, more recently, Jonathan Loaisiga out with a right shoulder strain and yet to resume a throwing program.
“We’ve leaned on him a ton,’’ Boone said of Green. “I still feel like he’s one of the outstanding relievers in the sport and he’s throwing like that. He’s been hurt in a couple outings by the long ball.”
Boone acknowledged the shorter outings by starters of late have also added to their reliance on Green, who entered Tuesday having pitched 74 innings on the season, just shy of his career-high 75 2/3 innings set in 2018.
After playing left field at Citi Field over the weekend, Giancarlo Stanton was back there Tuesday at Camden Yards, with Joey Gallo in right.
Boone said he prefers Stanton in right at Yankee Stadium because there’s less space to cover there than left.
“It’s a little bit fluid,’’ Boone said of Stanton’s outfield situation.
Boone said there still wasn’t much clarity regarding the dizziness Aaron Judge felt on Sunday, when he was removed from the game against the Mets, and still felt on Monday, when he played all nine innings and hit a homer against the Twins in The Bronx.
“We feel pretty good about where he is and how he’s feeling,’’ Boone said. “We’ll continue to monitor him and do some things to make sure he’s good to go. I’m not overly concerned.”
Kyle Higashioka started behind the plate with Gerrit Cole on the mound Tuesday. Boone said he “considered” starting Gary Sanchez. With the possibility of a wild-card game approaching, the Yankees could again be faced with the issue of whether to keep Cole comfortable with Higashioka behind the plate in a must-win game and keep Sanchez on the bench.
Sal Romano was signed to a major league contract. Brooks Kriske was designated for assignment.
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