Bombers’ star shortstop frustrated by right wrist injury

Didi Gregorius scored the winning run to help the Yankees clinch a playoff berth Saturday night, but the shortstop is disappointed as it could have been the last game he played this season.

“It’s really frustrating, because I’m not playing … they want to keep me day-to-day to see how [I react],” said Gregorius, who an MRI revealed Sunday suffered a small cartilage tear in his right wrist from his headfirst slide that locked up the Yankees’ wild-card spot. “I mean, I have some movement in there and they say things like this happen to other players. Some play through it.

“We’re going to see day-today how it goes. When I feel better, I’ll be back in there so we can still make that playoff decision.”

Gregorius, who is slashing .268/.336/.498 with a careerhigh 27 home runs, 86 RBIs and an .834 OPS, received a cortisone shot and will be reevaluated in a few days. But his status is unclear.

“Unsure,” manager Aaron Boone said, when asked if he believes Gregorius can return before the season ends. “I think there’s a real possibility we do [get him back]. There’s also a possibility that we don’t. We’ll know a lot more in a few days and see how the wrist responds to the cortisone shot.”

Gregorius, 28, said after Sunday’s 6-3 loss to the Orioles the wrist is “just sore,” and he does have some movement in it. Doctors haven’t told him it will require surgery after the season. He didn’t feel any pain until waking up Sunday morning and the cortisone had improved the feeling there already.

While Gregorius is out, the Yankees could either use veteran newcomer Adeiny Hechavarria in his place or move Gleyber Torres over to shortstop, where he has played 19 games and committed five errors, and insert Neil Walker at second base. Boone said he will mix and match depending on the opposing pitcher.

Whatever the plan is, Gregorius will be missed for however long he is out. A few Yankees players were caught off guard by the news.

“Losing a player of his caliber is definitely going to affect us,” Gary Sanchez said.

But Gregorius didn’t sound like someone ready to watch the rest of the season from the bench, saying his confidence is “still high” he can return.

“I mean, I always play through pain,” the shortstop said. “Nobody plays this game 100 percent healthy. So I think there’s some things you always got to fight through to play because you always want to be out there for your team.”

Especially in October.