18 Didi Gregorius SS

Gregorius (elbow) signed a one-year contract with the Yankees on Friday, avoiding arbitration.

Gregorius has a long road ahead of him as he continues to recover from Tommy John surgery that took place in mid-October, although he has a chance to return before the All-Star break if all goes according to plan. The Yankees will likely turn to a combination of Troy Tulowitzki and Gleybor Torres at shortstop until Gregorius is cleared to play.

Gregorius underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow Wednesday. He is expected to be back in action before the 2019 All-Star break, Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY Sports reports.

According to the club, his procedure with Dr. David Altchek went "as expected," so hope remains that Gregorius will be able to return to action around the midway point of next season. The shortstop's status should be closely monitored throughout the offseason, while a better indication of his timetable will emerge once he's able to resume fielding and throwing. Across 134 regular season game this year, Gregorius slashed .268/.335/.494 with 27 home runs, 86 RBI and 10 stolen bases.

Gregorius suffered a right elbow injury during the ALDS against the Red Sox and an MRI on Thursday revealed that he will require Tommy John surgery. Manager Aaron Boone said he anticipates Gregorius returning "at some point during [next] season," though he added it's "realistic" that the shortstop will be available for the "bulk" of the 2019 campaign, Marc Carig of The Athletic reports.

It appears as though Gregorius felt the injury occur during Game 1 or 2 of the ALDS in Boston while making a throw, and played through the injury the rest of the series. Thursday's MRI showed a tear in the UCL and will warrant Tommy John surgery, but fortunately the timetable for rehab is generally a great deal shorter for position players than it is for pitchers. That will make it possible for the shortstop to return to the field next year, though Boone added that a concrete timetable is unknown at this point. Gregorius is expected to undergo the surgery next week.

Gregorius is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Red Sox, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.

Gregorius started the last two games as he returned from the wrist injury, but will get the day off for the regular season finale. The 28-year-old has a .268/.335/.494 slash line with 27 home runs and 86 RBI for the season. Adeiny Hechavarria will start at shortstop and bat ninth in his absence.

Gregorius (wrist) is back in the lineup Friday against Boston, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.

Gregorius suffered a wrist injury Saturday when sliding into home plate which looked to be potentially season-threatening, but he's made good progress over the last few days and will wind up having missed just five games. He'll bat sixth and play shortstop against the Red Sox.