Starlin Castro unlikely to play All-Star Game
Starlin Castro #14 of the Yankees looks on during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx on Monday, July 3, 2017. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Starlin Castro’s chances of playing in next Tuesday’s All-Star Game appear to be dimming.
Castro, who was selected to the AL squad, is progressing from the right hamstring strain that landed him on the disabled list June 27. But manager Joe Girardi said he doesn’t think Castro will be able to return before the break, and if he doesn’t play for the Yankees, he won’t be playing in the Midsummer Classic in Miami.
“I don’t know if we’ll have him back before the break,” Girardi said. “I think my hope was, but I’m not sure that we will. But he’s progressing.”
Better Holliday
Matt Hollday, who is on the DL because of a viral infection, “feels a little bit better today,” Girardi said. “So that’s a good sign.”
Girardi said Holliday is still waiting for test results to determine the nature of his ailment.
“I don’t have a clear plan of when he’ll be back,” Girardi said.
Happy returns
The return of CC Sabathia and Adam Warren from the disabled list allowed Girardi to make his pitching staff feel more whole.
Sabathia’s return to the rotation allowed Girardi to send his fill-in, Luis Cessa, to the bullpen as a long reliever. Domingo German and Bryan Mitchell were sent to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Mitchell is going to continue to work as a starter in case the Yankees need another one down the road.
Sabathia, who lasted only 2 2⁄3 innings and was the losing pitcher in the Yankees’ 4-1 defeat to Toronto, had been out since June 15 with a strained left hamstring. Warren, who relieved Sabathia and retired the only batter he faced, had been on the DL since June 16 with right shoulder inflammation.
Cessa came in for the fourth inning and threw 4 2/3 innings of scoreless ball.
Anthony Rieber covers baseball, as well as the NFL, NBA and NHL. He has worked at Newsday since Aug. 31, 1998, and has been in his current position since July 5, 2004.
