BALTIMORE -- The Yankees believe they will be closer to full strength in about a week's time, as manager Aaron Boone said that he is "optimistic" Gary Sanchez and Didi Gregorius will return in time for a West Coast road trip that opens on Sept. 3 in Oakland.
Sanchez went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored on Saturday in his first Minor League rehab game for the Gulf Coast League Yankees, reporting no issues with his right groin strain. Sanchez is expected to join Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre for Monday's game at Lehigh Valley, and Boone indicated that the catcher will spend most of the week with the Yanks' top farm affiliate.