Encarnacion (oblique) is on track to return for the ALDS but his status remains uncertain, Marly Rivera of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Although general manager Brian Cashman indicated that the team expects Encarnacion to be on the roster when the ALDS begins on Friday, he stopped short of guaranteeing such a scenario, indicating that the slugger would need to prove his readiness in a series of at-bats Tuesday and Wednesday. Encarnacion was initially expected to return to the lineup before the end of the regular season but was instead held out as the Yankees decided to exercise caution in dealing with his oblique injury. With ALDS rosters not required to be submitted until Friday, the organization has adequate time to assess Encarnacion before making a final decision on his status.

Manager Aaron Boone said it's unlikely Encarnacion (oblique) will play Sunday against the Rangers, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Boone previously said he expected the veteran slugger to return Friday and play all three games in Texas, but the team is expressing additional caution for the final series of the regular season. According to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, Encarnacion feels near 100 percent but doesn't want to risk a setback in a meaningless Game 162. The 36-year-old is expected to partake in simulated games next week in advance of the ALDS versus the Twins, which begins Friday in New York.

Encarnacion (oblique) is not in Saturday's lineup against the Rangers, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

On Friday he told Marly Rivera of ESPN that he is trying to avoid setbacks before the postseason. Encarnacion says he feels healthy and pain-free but has some fear of re-injuring the oblique while swinging, so they are taking it one day at a time. It seems unlikely he will return this weekend and his status for the ALDS is up in the air.

Encarnacion (oblique) isn't in Friday's starting lineup against the Rangers, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.

EDGE Analysis

Encarnacion was expected to return to the starting nine Friday, but the Yankees will hold him out for at least one more day. The slugger will still have two more chances to see at-bats over the weekend before the postseason begins. He hasn't taken the field since Sept. 12 due to a left oblique strain.

Encarnacion (oblique) is expected to start Friday and play all three games this weekend against the Rangers, Brendan Kuty of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

EDGE Analysis

Encarnacion went down with a left oblique strain Sept. 12 and is set to make his return to the lineup after being sidelined for two weeks. Manager Aaron Boone said he primarily expects the veteran slugger to serve as the designated hitter and bat in the middle of the lineup for the playoffs.

Encarnacion (oblique) remains out of the lineup Wednesday against Tampa Bay.

EDGE Analysis

Encarnacion hasn't played since suffering a strained oblique Sept. 12. He's been with the team in Tampa and took batting practice Tuesday, but he'll sit for at least one more contest. It remains to be seen whether he'll return for the final series against the Rangers. Giancarlo Stanton will be the designated hitter Wednesday.

Encarnacion (oblique) participated in batting practice Tuesday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Encarnacion is on the road with the Yankees for their two-game series against the Rays. He is not in Tuesday's lineup, but Encarnacion could play Wednesday, though a more likely scenario has him returning Friday in order to take advantage of an off day Thursday. The veteran slugger has not played since suffering a Grade 1 oblique strain Sept. 12.

Manager Aaron Boone said Saturday that Encarnacion (oblique) is expected to play by the series in Texas next weekend and could possibly play in Tampa Bay before then, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Boone indicated Friday that Encarnacion would be back when the team goes on the road next week, and he provided further clarification Saturday. New York only plays two games in Tampa Bay from Monday through Thursday and Encarnacion sounds iffy for that short series, but he should get 10 at-bats or so next week, and that should be plenty for the veteran to shake the rust before the postseason gets underway.

Encarnacion (oblique) is expected to return when the Yankees go on the road next week, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Yankees are in Tampa Bay for two games next week before they head to Texas for a three-game set to wrap up the regular season. It sounds like Encarnacion will be in the lineup for most of those games, though manager Aaron Boone did not say explicitly that Encarnacion will start Tuesday. Either way, he's made a quick turnaround from a Grade 1 oblique strain.

Encarnacion (oblique) performed agility drills and ran sprints in the outfield Thursday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Although Encarnacion has yet to resume swinging a bat, his activity is a positive sign that his oblique strain will not prevent him from returning to action by the end of the regular season. The 36-year-old reported feeling strong days after suffering the injury, though the Yankees are certain to exercise caution in order to have him at full strength in the postseason.