BOSTON — As the Yankees took batting practice Friday night at Fenway Park, a female fan in a pinstriped jersey behind the visiting dugout held up a homemade sign that read: “The Return of Darth Bader.”
The problem was, Harrison Bader still was not available to strike back for the fabled Evil Empire, who could have used him in a 15-5 loss to the Red Sox.
Bader requested to continue his rehab assignment at Double-A Somerset this weekend, delaying his return from his latest stint on the injured list. He went 1-for-4 with a strikeout Friday against Altoona.
The center fielder won’t rejoin the Yankees for their weekend series, and instead is now targeting their game Tuesday in The Bronx against the Mariners, according to manager Aaron Boone.
The 29-year-old Bader, who has been sidelined since May 30 with a right hamstring strain, had played one rehab game for Somerset, on Wednesday.
“The other day went fine. I think just in Harrison’s mind, and we agree wholeheartedly, [he wanted] to get another game or two in,” Boone said. “Having that feeling, especially for a guy like him who relies on his legs so much, to be able to go make that diving play in the gap at full speed or score from second with the game on the line with a base hit to left.
“I just think, especially with a hamstring injury, having that confidence in your mind that you can do that [is important]. So he’s going to play again tonight, probably [Saturday] and then probably join us on the home stand. But we’ll get through today and we’ll see where we’re at.”
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The Yankees have been extra thin in the outfield in recent weeks, with reigning AL MVP Aaron Judge also on the IL, retroactive to June 4, with a sprained right toe.
Converted infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa has made 20 starts in center this season, but Boone went with a left-to-right alignment Friday night of Willie Calhoun, Billy McKinney and Jake Bauers, who went a combined 3-for-13 with one run.
Boone added that Bader, a Gold Glove winner with the Cardinals in 2021, was more concerned about getting his timing down in the field than at the plate.
“Yeah. I think it’s really, in his case, ‘I need to be 100 percent out here patrolling center field and being able to really step on it in crisis with everything on the line.’ Just getting over that last hump,” Boone said. “So it’s probably more defense, where you’re really letting it rip. Going into the alley, laying out, up against the fence, at top speed. And scoring first to home. Having that in his mind, that confidence where he’s not out there thinking about it.”
Bader didn’t debut with the Yankees last year following his deadline acquisition from St. Louis until Sept. 20 because of plantar fasciitis. The Bronxville native said last week that he had been hoping to avoid a minor league assignment altogether this time.
“I don’t want to waste any time,” Bader said on June 9. “If I feel good and I feel confident, I want to go out there and help this team win. I know when I get to that place, I’ll be in a good spot where I can help this team win, which is all that matters.
“I’m not helping anybody if I’m on a rehab assignment.”
