Aaron Boone returns to Yankees, will manage today

It’s been quite a week for Yankees manager Aaron Boone, who had to depart his team on Wednesday to undergo surgery to receive a pacemaker. He’s battled heart problems throughout his life due to the congenital heart defect that he was born with, and the difficulty had reached a breaking point, as his resting heart rate had dipped into the thirties.

Thankfully, Boone’s procedure went off without a hitch, and after a couple days of rest, he’s back in the saddle. He raved about how much better he was feeling on a Friday afternoon Zoom call, and given that he felt he would only depart the managerial role for a few days anyway, it seemed inevitable that he would return this weekend.

Sure enough, Boone was on the field for starter Gerrit Cole’s 50-pitch batting practice session on Saturday morning. The ace called Boone’s quick return “a pleasant surprise.” (Cole was originally planned to start on the road against the Pirates in Bradenton, but the Yankees adjusted his schedule due to rain.)

Boone won’t just be watching BP on Saturday, though. He’ll make the roughly 50-minute bus ride to Bradenton, to manage the Yankees as they take on the Buccos with Jameson Taillon now on the bump. Interim skipper Carlos Mendoza is now relieved of his duties.

Let’s just hope that everything continues to go smoothly with Boone’s recovery. It’s great to have him back, and I have no doubt that his clubhouse is relieved to see him in active in high spirits, too.