Didi Gregorius injury stains Yankees win over Blue Jays | Rapid reaction

Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius got hurt and went to the hospital during a 10-2 win over the Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium on Sunday.

NEW YORK — Yankees manager Aaron Boone did what he always does, planting himself at the bottom of the dugout steps, leaning on the railing and fixing his attention on the field.

But if at least part of his mind was in Manhattan’s West Side, it would be understandable.

The departure of shortstop Didi Gregorius from a 10-2 win over the Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium on Sunday loomed the way the gray sky did over the Bronx all afternoon.

Gregorius left for NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center for more tests on a right heel he bruised in a first-inning collision.

Losing Gregorius for an extended period would be a huge headache for Boone and the Yankees, who are already without stars Aaron Judge (fractured right wrist) and Gary Sanchez (right groin strain). Slugging prospect Clint Frazier (post-concussion symptoms) is also on the disabled list.

Gregorius slammed into first baseman Kendrys Morales while racing for a single. Gregorius hit a hard groundball to second base. Devon Travis tried throwing Gregorius out, but his throw was short and up the line.

Morales made the mistake of putting hit whole body right in Gregorius’ path while attempting the pick. Gregorius hit him and ended up on the ground. Team trainer Steve Donohue and Boone checked on Gregorius, who was doubled over for a couple moments, clearly in pain.

Gregorius stayed in the game before Boone pulled him the start of the third inning, with Gleyber Torres shifting from second base to shortstop and Ronald Torreyes taking over for Torres.

It’s likely that Torres would become the Yankees’ regular shortstop if Gregorius, who has played the second-most games on the team at 118, needs time off. Neil Walker could jump in at second base.

What it means

The win was the Yankees’ third in a row after losing back-to-back games to the Rays.

They started the day 10 1/2 games behind the Red Sox in the American League East. They were up three games on Oakland for the right to host the Wild Card Game.

Too easy

J.A. Happ had a rough start against his old team and then settled down quickly.

Happ, whom the Blue Jays sent to the Yankees before the trade deadline, got two quick outs before giving up a booming home run to left-center field to Randall Grichuk in the first inning. Then Happ immediately gave up back-to-back singles before getting out of the inning.

He settled down to last 5 2/3 innings, surrendering just one more solo shot to Morales in the sixth.

Happ struck out and eight and walked one. He was 3-0 with a 1.89 ERA in three starts as a Yankee, all in the Bronx.

He could have afforded to be less perfect, considering the help he received.

Ahead early

The Yankees blew up on the Blue Jays for a six-run first inning and four runs in the sixth. They didn’t have in the lineup regular catcher Austin Romine, who was given the day off after taking a foul ball to the face mask Saturday.

Greg Bird’s grand slam was the highlight. He rocked Ryan Borucki’s hanging sinker to the second deck in right field for his 11th home run of the season and second in as many days. 

That made it 6-1 Yankees.

It came right after Gregorius’ single and collision that scored Miguel Andujar to tie the game.

Backup catcher Kyle Higashioka stroked a two-run single to center field, bringing home Torreyes and Torres, in the sixth. Giancarlo Stanton and Andujar each contribued RBI singles in the frame.

Next

Monday: Off

Tuesday: Yankees righty Masahiro Tanaka (9-4, 4.03 ERA) vs. Marlins righty Pablo Lopez (2-3, 4.79 ERA) at 7:10 p.m. in Miami.

Brendan Kuty may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @BrendanKutyNJ. Find NJ.com Yankees on Facebook.