BOSTON — Don’t look for CC Sabathia to jump off the disabled list immediately following the All-Star break.
“[Sabathia will return during] the back end of the first round,’’ Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Thursday.
Sabathia, out with a groin problem, last worked June 24 against the Mets. He told the team about the problem three days later and was placed on the 15-day DL. He has been playing catch and is scheduled for a bullpen session Sunday at Fenway Park.
The back end of the first set of games following the All-Star break, which extends through Thursday for the Yankees, is July 16 or 17 against the Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium.
Manager Joe Girardi has several options to start the second half of the season a week from tonight against the Angels at Yankee Stadium. He can stay with Hiroki Kuroda, Freddy Garcia, Phil Hughes and Ivan Nova, or shuffle the deck many ways.
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David Phelps was optioned to Double-A Trenton after Wednesday’s game and he will start for the Thunder on Monday night.
“We did it so he can pitch,’’ Cashman said of the right-hander who provided 4 ¹/₃ innings of one-run, two-hit pitching Sunday in a 4-3 win over David Price and the Rays. “He will be available to us on July 15.’’
Because Garcia and Phelps acquitted themselves well filling in for Andy Pettitte and Sabathia, Cashman said he was encouraged.
“Obviously, Adam Warren didn’t pitch well, but we had three guys for two spots and Garcia and Phelps did OK,’’ Cashman said.
Clubs are calling the Yankees to see what they are interested in from the trade market before the July 31 deadline.
Nevertheless, Cashman is inclined to see what he has coming off the shelf.
“We have to tread water and get the players off the DL,’’ said Cashman, who isn’t inclined to deal for Cole Hamels or Zach Greinke should they be made available by the Phillies and Brewers.
Sabathia should be the first one to return. When Brett Gardner (right elbow) and Joba Chamberlain (Tommy John surgery, dislocated ankle) will come off the DL isn’t known.
Friday, Gardner is scheduled for tee-work, and Chamberlain will throw a simulated game in Tampa.
“It’s too early to tell [when Gardner will return],’’ Cashman said. “With him we won’t know until the very end.’’
Gardner, who hasn’t played since mid-April due to a right (non-throwing) elbow injury, has had to stop two minor league rehab assignments due to discomfort when swinging.As for Chamberlain, Cashman is encouraged.
“He is doing very well so far,’’ Cashman said. “He has rung every bell in the rehab process.”
Chamberlain vows that he will return to the big leagues this year and Cashman is encouraged by the progress the right-hander reliever has made coming back from Tommy John surgery last summer and a dislocated ankle in spring training.
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Cory Wade will be added to the roster for Saturday’s day-night doubleheaderl, then likely returned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where he was sent Monday. … The Yankees claimed outfielder Darnell McDonald on waivers from the Red Sox on Sunday and he likely will play at some point this weekend because his former team is starting three lefties in four games. Barring an injury to another outfielder, McDonald’s stay will end Sunday night because the Yankees aren’t going to carry six outfielders.