PITTSBURGH -- Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius took a big step toward returning from his spring training injury Friday night.
Sidelined for more than a month with a right shoulder strain, Gregorius returned Friday night to play six innings for the Tampa Yankees in a High-A Florida State League game in Lakeland, Fla.
The Pirates losing All-Star centerfielder Starling Marte for a half season is similar to the Yankees' losing A-Rod for the entire 2014 campaign.
Batting second behind Jorge Mateo, Gregorius was 2-for-3 with two singles in a 3-0 loss to Lakeland.