Andy Martino, SNY.tv | Twitter |

Aaron Boone struggled during a Tuesday afternoon news conference to describe Giancarlo Stanton's shoulder injury, but the Yankees remain unconcerned about Stanton's health, and consider him to be progressing.

According to people familiar with the situation, Stanton's shoulder discomfort -- which the team called a shoulder strain shortly after Boone was unable to name the injury -- is not serious enough to prevent him from facing live pitching in Tampa.

If he continues in this vein with no setbacks, he should be in extended spring training games in a week or so, then would begin a rehab assignment.

Apparently, Boone considered the diagnosis an old one and was caught a bit off guard by the timing of the questions. After a confusing news conference, he and other Yankees officials quickly huddled and agreed that it was best to simply announce to the media that Stanton had a shoulder strain.

Meanwhile, the Yanks' trade for Oakland 1B/DH Kendrys Morales was unrelated to Stanton's absence. Oakland agreed to pay Morales' entire salary, according to major league sources, so the Yankees saw no downside in auditioning Morales.

With Miguel Andujar back on the IL and contemplating shoulder surgery, it was worth a shot. The Yankees see potential in Morales' peripheral statistics this season, despite his poor production.

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