Didi on London Series: 'It's something great'

LONDON -- As the Red Sox and Yankees played the first Major League innings on European soil, the most international of the Bombers believes that the London Series will have a far-reaching impact on the future of the sport.

"I heard it's going to be an annual thing," Didi Gregorius said on Saturday. "It's something big for everybody to see there are more sports out there. It's something great. You can't force the sport on anybody, but there might be some people that are going to pick it up. Hopefully they put their places on the map."

Gregorius, who speaks seven languages, was born in Amsterdam and raised in Curacao. He has known Xander Bogaerts of the Red Sox for years, including playing together on the Dutch entry into the World Baseball Classic.

"We don't really talk about it as much as a rivalry," Gregorius said. "We played against each other growing up, and for a little bit played with each other, too. It's actually fun to get to play against him and just see how far we've come to where we started. For us, it means a lot."

Bogaerts hails from the island of Aruba, which is a country in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

"I think on a personal level for both of us, it's really special to play in Europe," Bogaerts said. "It's been fun. It's two games. We know how important the games are."

Gregorius is a more recognizable figure in the Netherlands, having recently visited family and friends in Amsterdam this past January. Gregorius said that despite wearing a hooded sweatshirt, he was spotted by fans on the streets.

"It's close to home," Gregorius said. "I heard there are going to be a lot of people here, friends and family and everything. I think it's going to be really awesome. It's not a far drive or flight to get here. I think it will be really good to be here and play and promote baseball. I think that's the main thing, same thing we do in the Netherlands."

Sevy setback

Luis Severino's anticipated return to the rotation grew foggier this week as the right-hander was shut down with more soreness in his right lat area. Severino had been scheduled to throw a bullpen session this week, but instead has been instructed to rest for five to seven days following an MRI.

"He had a little bit of soreness so we've held off a little bit," manager Aaron Boone said. "He re-MRIed, which is what we wanted him to do before he got back on the mound. He's about 90 percent healed. We've kind of slowed it down. He'll probably be throwing again in the next five to seven days, but he won't get back on the mound until that's 100 percent."

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said that he continues to believe Severino will pitch in the big leagues this season.

"It's not optimal, obviously, but ultimately it's about giving the player the time that's necessary," Cashman said. "He needs more time. There's still time for [Severino to return]. It just makes me wonder when we're going to get the lat right. I plan on getting him back. A guy like that, you make room for."

Additionally, Boone said that right-hander Dellin Betances has not resumed throwing, "but he will probably when we get back home. He's any day now."

CC you later

CC Sabathia was asked if he was disappointed to not be pitching in the London series. The left-hander laughed and said, "No. No. I'm enjoying this trip."

Sabathia, whose first stop upon landing in London was to take the Harry Potter studio tour, is being provided with additional rest to protect his troublesome right knee. The Yankees are also electing to bypass homer-prone J.A. Happ in London, as they plan to start an opener Sunday.

"I felt like it was a good time with J.A. to give him some extra days," Boone said. "With CC, we always try to do that when we can. Obviously with the maintenance he goes through with his knee, we know there's going to be different times throughout the year.

"He had the quick IL stint earlier. With CC, any time we have a chance to essentially skip a start -- and because of the off-days, we can do that -- we feel like certainly all of our guys can benefit from some extra time, but we feel like CC is the guy that can benefit the most from it."

This date in Yankees history

June 29, 1987: The Yankees defeated the Blue Jays, 15-14, behind a pair of grand slams hit by Don Mattingly and Dave Winfield at Toronto's Exhibition Stadium.