Mike Ehrmann/Getty ImagesNew York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez is expected to be activated off the disabled list when rosters expand Saturday Gary Sanchez Jersey , manager Aaron Boone told reporters.Sanchez has been out since reaggravating a groin injury against the Tampa Bay Rays on July 23. It was just his third game back after nearly a month on the DL due to the initial injury.Sanchez was criticized during his last appearance with the Yankees for not hustling after apassed ballor running out agame-ending ground ball. He refused to blame his injury, though."An injury is never an excuse," Sancheztold reporters. "When I'm on the field, I'm good to play. I could have done a better job."Sanchez began a rehab assignment Saturday and has gone 3-for-15 with two home runs, two RBI and three runs scored in four games. He has made two appearances at designated hitter and two at catcher.This season has not been the easiest for Sanchez. Not only has he missed two months due to injury, but he has also struggled on the field when he has played. One year after making his first All-Star team,the 25-year-oldis hitting .188/.283/.416 with 14 home runs, 14 doubles and 42 RBI in 66 games.New York has gone 21-14 during his latest trip to the disabled list. The Yankees (84-49) are 7.5 games back of the Boston Red Sox in the American League East but hold a 10-game lead in the wild-card race. That gives them enough cushion to allow Sanchez to try to get right at the plate.Rosters expand Sept. 1, so the club can activate Sanchez before Saturday's game against the Detroit Tigers without having to make a corresponding roster move. Kansas City Royals (7-13, fifth in the AL Central) vs. New York Yankees (9-10, second in the AL East)New York; Saturday, 1 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Royals: Heath Fillmyer (0-0 http://www.yankeesfanproshop.com/authentic-giancarlo-stanton-jersey , 9.00 ERA, 1.75 WHIP, 4 strikeouts) Yankees: Masahiro Tanaka (0-1, 3.22 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 21 strikeouts)LINE: Royals favored by 1 1/2 runs; over/under is 8 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: New York and Kansas City will play at Yankee Stadium on Saturday.The Yankees are 6-7 on their home turf. New York has hit 32 home runs this season, fifth in the American League. Brett Gardner leads the team with five, averaging one every 14 at-bats.The Royals are 2-6 on the road. Kansas City has slugged .418 this season. Alex Gordon leads the club with a .571 slugging percentage, including 11 extra-base hits. The Yankees won the last meeting 6-2. CC Sabathia earned his first victory and Gardner went 1-for-2 with a home run and two RBIs for New York. Jakob Junis registered his second loss for Kansas City.TOP PERFORMERS: Luke Voit leads the Yankees with 15 RBIs and is batting .227. Gary Sanchez is 10-for-37 with a double, six home runs and 11 RBIs over the last 10 games for New York.Jorge Soler leads the Royals with five home runs and is batting .237. Hunter Dozier is 15-for-37 with three doubles, four home runs and seven RBIs over the last 10 games for Kansas City.LAST 10 GAMES: Yankees: 4-6, .225 batting average Sonny Gray Jersey , 4.48 ERA, outscored opponents by one runRoyals: 5-5, .248 batting average, 4.15 ERA, outscored opponents by six runsYankees Injuries: Luis Severino: 10-day IL (shoulder), Jordan Montgomery: 60-day IL (elbow), Ben Heller: 60-day IL (elbow), Dellin Betances: 10-day IL (shoulder), Aaron Hicks: 10-day IL (back), Jacoby Ellsbury: 60-day IL (hip), Troy Tulowitzki: 10-day IL (calf), Didi Gregorius: 60-day IL (elbow) Luis Severino Jersey , Greg Bird: 10-day IL (foot), Miguel Andujar: 10-day IL (shoulder), Giancarlo Stanton: 10-day IL (bicep), Gary Sanchez: 10-day IL (calf).Royals Injuries: Trevor Oaks: 60-day IL (hip), Jesse Hahn: 60-day IL (elbow), Brian Flynn: 10-day IL (elbow), Danny Duffy: 10-day IL (shoulder), Salvador Perez: 60-day IL (elbow).