Yankees' Didi Gregorius Taught Himself to Play Piano in Tommy John Surgery Rehab

Megan ArmstrongCorrespondent IIJune 7, 2019

TAMPA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 21: (EDITOR'S NOTE:SATURATION HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THIS IMAGE) Didi Gregorius #18 of the New York Yankees poses for a portrait during the New York Yankees Photo Day on February 21, 2019 at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Elsa/Getty Images

Didi Gregorius has been officially activated for the first time in 2019, but the New York Yankees shortstop wasn't idle during his eight-month recovery from Tommy John surgery.

"What's Didi been doing while waiting to get back in the Yankees lineup?" USA Today's Pete Caldera tweeted ahead of the Yankees' matchup against the Cleveland Indians on Friday night. "He bought a piano and taught himself how to play, naturally."

Gregorius underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow on Oct. 17 after the Yankees' season ended in the American League Division Series against the Boston Red Sox. He suffered the injury during Game 2 of the ALDS but played through it, according to MLB.com's Bryan Hoch.

His itch to play has only built in his time away, as evidenced by the hype video he posted announcing his return earlier Friday:

Sir Didi Gregorius @DidiG18
After 3️⃣.5️⃣ months of almost a 1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ digital ✍️ layers to put this clip together for this day https://t.co/zx2id8114o

Despite sitting at 39-22 and at first place in the AL East, the injury-laden Yankees will be glad to get Gregorius back. Perhaps the 29-year-old can compose his own 2019 walk-up song too.

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The first pitch between the Yankees and Indians is set for 7:10 p.m. ET from Cleveland's Progressive Field. Gregorius will start at shortstop and bat fifth, the team announced.