Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez is hopeful to return by the playoffs after being sidelined for nearly two weeks with a left groin strain, though he isn't willing to rush his return.
"I was always hopeful, from day one, that I would be back," Sanchez told ESPN. "I knew that because our trainers do tremendous work and I knew they were going to be able to put me in the position of how I feel right now. I feel very good, and all I need is to be ready for the playoffs."
Sanchez completed a full workout Monday with hitting coach Marcus Thames and head athletic trainer Steve Donohue. He ran bases, took batting practice both in the cage and on the field and he participated in some defensive drills.
"I feel good," Sanchez said after the workout. "Everything I have done has gone well. There have been no problems at all. We have to wait to see how things go in the next couple of days."
Gary Sanchez (left groin strain) running shuttles this morning. pic.twitter.com/HRqi34PIot
— Pete Caldera (@pcaldera) September 21, 2019
While Sanchez is working his way back, he remains adamant that he doesn't feel any pressure to rush his return because he wants to be fully healthy for the postseason.
"Right now with everything I've done, I feel better," Sanchez said. "Hopefully in the next few days, with all I have to do, and after working with the trainers, I can feel the way I feel now."
Sanchez, who also missed 16 games earlier this season for a similar groin issue, is hitting .233/.318/.531 with 34 home runs through 104 games.