Yankees activate Gary Sanchez, Jordan Montgomery off COVID-19 injured list

New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole returned from the COVID-19 injured list Monday evening and was solid in a 2-1 home victory over the Los Angeles Angels. The Yankees announced additional good news ahead of Tuesday's doubleheader versus the rival Boston Red Sox. 

Per an ESPN story, the Yankees activated both catcher Gary Sanchez and starting left-hander Jordan Montgomery off the COVID-19 IL on Tuesday morning. Montgomery hit the IL Aug. 3, while Sanchez reportedly tested positive for the coronavirus on Aug. 5. At the time, New York manager Aaron Boone linked the club's latest COVID-19 setbacks with road trips that included matchups against the Tampa Bay Rays and Miami Marlins. 

Florida is experiencing a worrisome spike in COVID-19 cases this summer. 

Sanchez is batting .216 with 17 home runs and 39 RBI this season, while Montgomery is 4-5 with a 3.69 ERA on the campaign. New York began the day at 66-52 and five-and-a-half games back of the first-place Rays in the American League East division standings.