ARLINGTON, Texas — After delivering a few memorable highs early in the season, Franchy Cordero has had only lows lately — including Friday night, when he was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

The demotion came after Cordero went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in the Yankees’ 5-2 loss to the Rangers at Globe Life Field, extending his slump to 0-for-21 with nine strikeouts over his last nine games.

“Been a struggle since really having some impactful games for us early,” manager Aaron Boone said before roster move was announced. “Probably chasing a little bit, little in between on breaking ball and fastball. Comes down to getting that timing. We know he can impact the ball, but he’s gotta do it more frequently.”

The Yankees did not announce a corresponding move, but Jake Bauers is expected to be added to the active roster after joining the Yankees’ taxi squad on Friday from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

The left-handed hitting outfielder/first baseman was summoned from SWB for coverage in case Aaron Judge needed to go on the injured list for his hip issue.

But Boone indicated before the game that he could also be in play to join the roster regardless of Judge’s status.

Even before Judge’s injury, the 27-year-old Bauers had put himself in position to earn a possible call-up. He entered Friday batting .319 with a 1.271 OPS with nine home runs in 21 games for SWB.

“What he’s doing at Triple-A right now has been phenomenal,” Boone said. “He’s earned that opportunity to at least be in this position to be truly considered and he’s done that with his performance.”

Bauers, who has spent time in the majors with the Rays, Guardians and Mariners, said the key to his hot start has been mental.

“Getting out of my own way,” he said. “Kind of figured out myself mentally a little bit and that allowed me to figure out myself physically. I feel like I’m just in a good spot right now and I’m not looking to really change anything.”

When Aaron Hicks lost a ball in the lights on Thursday night and could not come up with a sliding catch in left field, cameras showed Gerrit Cole appearing to express some frustration on the mound.

But Boone, who said he looked over to Cole in the moment, did not feel that the reaction rose to anything that needed to be addressed among the two players.

“I thought [Cole] handled it well,” Boone said. “We’re human, we’re going to react in the moment to something. But I didn’t see anything that went to the level of a guy showing anyone up or anything. Tough play.”

Luis Severino (strained lat) threw a 40-pitch live batting practice session on Friday in Tampa that simulated three innings. Boone said he heard Severino “looked really good,” but the Yankees were still deciding whether a rehab assignment would come next.

“Probably another live, but it could be the start of the rehab,” Boone said.

Carlos Rodon (forearm muscle strain) also threw a 22-pitch bullpen session on Friday, his first since being shut down with back stiffness last week.

“I think [his back] has been slow-healing this week, but getting steadily better,” Boone said.

The Yankees sent Jonathan Loaisiga (elbow inflammation) for tests on Friday after he experienced soreness on Thursday, a day after playing catch in his throwing program.

Anthony Volpe got the day off Friday, on his 22nd birthday, before pinch-hitting in the ninth inning. … The Yankees transferred the rehab assignment of C Ben Rortvedt (left shoulder aneurysm surgery) to Double-A Somerset.