TORONTO -- Clint Frazier walked across the visiting clubhouse carpet at Rogers Centre shortly before batting practice, a team-issued equipment bag slung over his left shoulder and a rolling suitcase trailing his steps. It has become a familiar exercise for the outfielder.
Frazier rejoined the Yankees for his fourth stint of the year with the big league club on Saturday afternoon, adding a position player to manager Aaron Boone's lineup card. In a corresponding move, right-hander David Hale was designated for assignment. Frazier entered Saturday's 8-5 win over the Blue Jays in the fifth inning and went 0-for-2 with a strikeout.
In nine games for the Yanks so far this season, Frazier is batting .318 (7-for-22). He was previously in the Majors from May 15-20, on June 4 and from June 18-25.
"I think he really believes he belongs here and can produce here, and we do, too," Boone said. "He's gone down there really focused. The work has been strong every time he's come back. He continues to put himself in a good position for this type of situation."
The 23-year-old outfielder was batting .312 with 10 home runs in 47 games at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, and he is expected to be in the starting lineup on Sunday against left-hander Ryan Borucki, plus at least one of the games of the Monday doubleheader against the Orioles in Baltimore.
"We feel like he can impact us here in the next few days," Boone said.
Hale pitched 5 2/3 innings behind Sonny Gray on Friday, a one-run effort that marked the longest relief appearance of his career. It was his third appearance for the Yankees this season, having worked two scoreless innings on April 23 and three innings of two-run ball on May 11.
"He threw great. He picked us up in a big-time way and it's crappy news to have to give to the guy," Boone said. "We really respect the way he goes about things and has delivered in a couple of big ways for us. It's just the reality of our situation right now. Hopefully in some way, shape or form he's able to stay with us and at some point get back with us again."
When a player's contract is designated for assignment -- often abbreviated "DFA" -- that player is immediately removed from his club's 40-man roster. Within seven days of the transaction (had been 10 days under the 2012-16 Collective Bargaining Agreement), the player can either be traded or placed on irrevocable outright waivers.
Doctor's orders
Jonathan Loaisiga has been removed from consideration to start in the upcoming doubleheader against the Orioles, as an MRI taken on Friday revealed inflammation in the right-hander's pitching shoulder. Loaisiga will be evaluated by team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad on Monday.
"He said he had a little tightness in his shoulder," Boone said. "Hopefully by Monday or Tuesday [we'll] have a clearer picture on the timeframe for him."
Boone said that Luis Cessa is likely to pitch the second game of the twin bill, behind Carsten Sabathia in the opener.
Comeback trail
Gary Sanchez donned his gear for the first time since straining his right groin in a June 24 game against the Rays, catching Masahiro Tanaka's bullpen session. Sanchez also took two rounds of batting practice in the indoor cages at Rogers Centre. He has not yet run the bases, and hopes to hit on the field when the club travels to Baltimore.
"I feel very good where I'm at right now. Things are going along," Sanchez said through an interpreter.
Boone said that the best-case scenario is for Sanchez to begin playing in Minor League rehab games on July 15, which would set him up to rejoin the Yankees' active roster for the July 20 game against the Mets.
This date in Yankees history
July 7, 1991: Bernie Williams made his Major League debut at 22 years old, going 1-for-3 with an RBI single and a sacrifice fly in a 5-3 loss to the Orioles.
Bryan Hoch