re: Didi Gregorious about to have Tommy John

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Boone is optimistic that Gregorius will play the bulk of the 2019 season.

General manager Brian Cashman said it is too early to say if the Yankees will look externally to fill Gregorius' void for the start of 2019. Cashman said that infielder Gleyber Torres, who played 21 of his 130 games this year at shortstop, is "by far the best player for consideration" that the Yankees currently have.

Tommy John is most notably associated with pitcher injuries and the rehab can be grueling, potentially lasting more than one year. Position players typically return to the field in less time following Tommy John.

For example, Torres missed about half a season in 2017 after tearing the UCL in his non-throwing elbow. Dodgers star Corey Seager underwent Tommy John surgery this past May and is expected to be on the team's Opening Day roster in 2019. Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani, who underwent Tommy John during the first week of the offseason, is expected to be the club's designated hitter for a significant portion of 2019, though Ohtani will not pitch next season.

Other notable position players to receive the surgery include former MLB outfielder Carl Crawford, Angels infielder Zack Cozart, Twins third baseman Miguel Sano and Red Sox catcher Christian Vazquez -- all of whom were able to return to the field in a year's time or less.

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