Zach Britton injury update
Zack Britton is only in the early stages of his recovery from Tommy John surgery, but the Yankees are still hoping to have him back before the season is over.
That puts the team and the pitcher on the same page, according to Aaron Boone.
“I think he’s expecting to pitch this year,” the manager said Sunday. “I think that’s certainly a possibility.”
Britton, who had surgery in September, threw his first bullpen since the injury on Friday. The southpaw tossed at the organization’s player development complex in Tampa and came away happy with the results.
“He was really encouraged again, like he’s been most of the rehab,” said Boone, who talked to Britton the day after the pen session. “He’s been kind of encouraged every step of the way. He’s been doing a lot of work down there with performance sciences and he thinks some of the things he’s doing down there will help him with not only his arm care, but just being more efficient as he works his way back.”
Despite the positive early signs, Boone made it clear that Britton still has a long way to go. The 34-year-old will throw “a number of bullpens” before he faces hitters, according to the skipper, and doesn’t have a timetable for returning.
