Rizzo back in lineup after 4-game absence

BOSTON — Anthony Rizzo was back in the lineup Saturday night after missing four games with back spasms. The first baseman had been optimistic about a return this weekend and Yankees manager Aaron Boone was pretty confident that he would be able to play after testing it thoroughly Friday.

Boone said they are not worried about this going forward.

“I feel like he’s through with it. I feel like it’s one of those things that just kind of went out on him and he’s dealt with it,” Boone said before Saturday night’s game against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. “He described it as something that kind of happens like once a year, he’s like, it usually takes one to three days to kind of get through it. He’s kind of making steady improvements each day.”

More Carpenter: Matt Carpenter was back in left field Saturday night with Joey Gallo on the bench. The veteran infielder made his second straight start there after having not played in left since 2012.

It’s a way to keep his hot bat in the lineup.

“He’s certainly earned more opportunities. Love the days that I have over there on the bench as a weapon, to shoot in a big spot off the bench as well ‘but glad at this point in the season that we’ve gotten a few reps now in the outfield and at least hopefully that will be an option,” Boone said. “I still don’t see him out there every day well, but to be able to do that in a pinch here and there to keep him sharp and give him at-bats, especially when he’s swinging it well. We’ll continue to look for those opportunities.”

Stanton show: After being named a starter on Friday, Giancarlo Stanton said that he is likely going to be in the Home Run Derby. That would get Aaron Boone to watch — and not out of concern for his slugger.

“If he wants to, go get ‘em,” Boone said. “It’ll give me a reason to tune in. He’s about as fun to watch as there is when he gets going. We don’t get it a lot, because he’s working on things in BP but when he really goes in there and says I’m gonna step on it, that’s something to see. If he wants to do it and he’s on board, he knows himself really well.”

German on the clock: Domingo German (right shoulder impingement syndrome) pitched four scoreless, one-hit innings in his rehab Saturday with Triple-A Scranton against the Red Sox Triple-A affiliate in Worcester. The right hander struck out four, did not walk a batter and hit one.

A scout who was there said the fastball velocity was lower than he expected, sitting between 91-92 miles an hour and touching 95 . ... Jonathan Loaisiga (right shoulder inflammation) was scheduled to make his first minor league rehab appearance on Saturday with Class-A Tampa. Loaisiga has been on the IL since May 25.