Didi Gregorius is ready to begin working his way back to the field.
The Yankees shortstop, who underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow at the end of the 2018 season, was cleared to begin a throwing program, manager Aaron Boone said at the Thurman Munson Dinner at the Grand Hyatt in Midtown on Tuesday.
"Everything is going well and according to plan," Boone said.
Gregorius, who was also at the dinner, sounded optimistic about taking the next step.
"Hopefully next week I start doing throwing exercises," he said. "It's a lot of steps. I'm waiting for that."
Gregorius, who turns 29 later this month, is expected to miss at least half the season as he rehabs from the surgery, which takes a shorter recovery time for a position player than a pitcher.
Yet the shortstop sounded eager when asked when he expects to be back.
"April," he said, laughing. "We all know that's not going to happen. We'll wait and see until everything is cleared and ready to go."