HOUSTON — The Yankees are strengthening their bench for this weekend’s showdown series at Yankee Stadium against the first-place Blue jays.

After playing five Triple-A rehab games in eight days, outfielder Austin Slater will be activated from the injured list on Friday.

The Yankees opened a roster spot for Slater after their 8-4 win in Houston on Thursday night by optioning rookie catcher J.C. Escarra to Triple-A.

Escarra had been one of two additions this week when rosters expanded from 26 to 28 players, left-hander Ryan Yarbrough’s return from the IL being the other.

The Yankees acquired Slater in a July 30 trade from the White Sox because he’s a right-handed hitter with some pop who hits lefties well. He’s hitting .223 with five homers in 51 games this season. He’s batting .2

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