The New York Yankees lost 5-2 to the Cleveland Indians. But the most important news was that Didi Gregorius finally returned after a long period of absence due to Tommy John surgery.
Looking to his numbers during his rehab stint with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders and the Tampa Tarpons (..156 with one homer and two RBI), Didi didn’t seem ready for a return at MLB level yet. But last night he came off a nice start.
Batting fifth in the lineup, Gregorius hit the first pitch that he saw for a line drive to right field. A little bit overconfident, he tried to stretch the single into a double but the ball caromed hard off the right field wall so right fielder Tyler Naquin lasered the ball towards second base where Didi was tagged out.
In his second at-bat, Didi hit the ball towards shortstop Francisco Lindor, who had to stretch out completely to stop the ball. Also Lindor showed his good arm, but thanks to the wheels Gregorius has, the throw wasn’t in time.
Eventually, Didi ended the night going 2 for 4.
During game two of the ALDS, Gregorius tore the ligament in his right elbow while making a relay throw home at Fenway Park. Despite the injury, he played the next two games before having Tommy John surgery. Didi’s rehab went much better than expected. Many expected him back late June/early July, but he always said he would be back early June.
His injury put an end to a career year in which he belted twenty-three doubles, five triples and twenty-seven home runs. He posted a .335 OBP and a .494 slugging percentage, both career highs.
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