MOOSIC, Pa. — Two large suitcases sat next to Curtis Granderson’s locker with a destination, rather than a name, on the luggage tags.
“Bronx, NY” the tags read.
The Yankees center fielder is on his way back to Yankee Stadium. Granderson will be activated in time for tonight’s game with the Indians after nearly four weeks on the disabled list with a strained left groin.
“[I’m] ready to jump right in,” Granderson said after going 0-for-2 with an intentional walk while playing center field for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre last night.
Granderson said he is 90-to-95 percent and now wants to see how the leg feels during lengthy Yankees games and playing back-to-back long games.
“The actual injury itself feels good,” Granderson said before last night’s game. “There have been no issues running the bases or out of the box or playing the outfield.”
Against Syracuse, Granderson got to test the leg on back-to-back fly balls in the third inning. One forced him to change direction, something he had not done since hurting the leg on May 1.
He roped one ball to the warning track, but was robbed by Pete Orr. After an intentional walk, Granderson ran hard on a fly ball from first to second, but when he saw the ball was going to be caught he eased up.
“It’s still hard to get it going,” Granderson said. “I was hoping it was hit to the gap so I have to go.”
SWB played a doubleheader with Syracuse, but Granderson was on his way back to New York shortly after the first game ended.
He left New York a week ago after watching the first inning at Citi Field between the Yankees and Mets. He joined SWB in Louisville and alternated between center field and designated hitter.
During the four weeks out of the lineup, Granderson said the scariest thing has been awaiting his comeback.
“Wondering how it will be when I come back [has been tough],” Granderson said. “Will it be 100 percent when I get back? This isn’t Opening Day either. It’s the end of May. I’ve got to be able to win when I get back.”
Granderson’s injury began the run of bad health for the Yankees. He was soon joined on the disabled list by Jorge Posada and Nick Johnson, while Nick Swisher and Marcus Thames dealt with nagging injuries.
“It was like there was a little plague on us,” Granderson said.
The Yankees, who lost 8-2 to the Twins last night, were 13-11 without Granderson. Granderson said the fact that the team has been winning has made his time on the shelf a bit easier.
Granderson could help the Yankees’ scuffling offense, which has struggled to score runs lately.
“We haven’t really gotten going all season,” Granderson said. “You have a guy here or there that does the job, but we’re not getting 20 hits or 20 runs. But we’re still winning games and that’s all that matters.”