ARLINGTON, Texas — The belief earlier in the week was that Edwin Encarnacion was ahead of Gary Sanchez in terms of who would be able to return first from injury.

Nevertheless, Sanchez started Friday night when the Yankees pounded the Rangers, 14-7, at Globe Life Park and Encarnacion was on the bench after an impressive early batting practice display.

“Just something he and I talked about. He hit on the field and looked good, but I think mentally he is not over the hump yet,’’ Aaron Boone said of Encarnacion, who hasn’t played since suffering a left oblique injury on Sept. 12 in the first game of a doubleheader in Detroit. “Obviously it is not something to tweak because if he tweaks it again he is lost for the postseason.’’

Boone’s belief is Encarnacion will be able to play in Game 1 of the ALDS, which is scheduled to start next Friday night at Yankee Stadium against the Twins.

Boone said it would have been ideal to get Encarnacion at-bats during the three-game series against the Rangers this weekend. But that isn’t likely to happen.

“That isn’t the most important thing. The most important thing is that he is healthy,’’ Boone said.

With four days to get ready for the ALDS after the regular season ends Sunday, the Yankees believe there is time to get Encarnacion comfortable enough to be the DH in Game 1.

“If we have to simulate at-bats during the week, we can do that,’’ said Boone, whose club has an optional workout at the Stadium on Tuesday and mandatory workouts Wednesday and Thursday.

Boone sensed Encarnacion is able to hit but isn’t letting it completely go.

“He is feeling good, feeling strong, but I think there is a little bit of trepidation of letting it go like he knows he needs to,’’ said Boone, who used Mike Ford (2-for-3, HR and four RBIs) as the DH and the slumping Luke Voit (0-for-5 and 3 K’s) at first Friday night. “You wouldn’t see it watching him hit. His batting practices have been good. Listening to him and talking to him, he certainly understands what is at stake here.’’

Sanchez, meanwhile, struck out in all three at-bats and left after the whiff in the fifth.

“Felt good. Not a problem at all. Felt like I was able to block, move around and have the flexibility I wanted,’’ Sanchez said of the groin.

At the plate?

“Not that great. The good thing is I felt healthy,’’ said Sanchez, who hadn’t played since the second game of the twinbill in Detroit on Sept. 12.

As for Sanchez’s schedule for Saturday and Sunday, Boone said Sanchez probably won’t play Saturday night and likely would play nine innings Sunday.

Tyler Wade’s ability to play three infield spots and all three outfield positions and his speed on the base paths have been a factor in him possibly being included on the 25-man post-season roster.

Friday night, when he replaced Brett Gardner in center field, Wade went hard into the wall chasing Scott Heineman’s ninth-inning homer. Wade then came up empty diving for Delino DeShields’ sinking liner. In between pitches, Wade twisted his upper body and bent over but stayed in the game.

“I haven’t heard anything yet on Tyler,’’ Boone said after the victory.

Boone didn’t put Didi Gregorius or Aaron Judge in Friday night’s lineup.

“With the infielders, I will probably have one or more down each day,’’ Boone said of the final three games of the season. “With Aaron coming out of the off day, the (left) shoulder feels great, but I thought it would be best to give him (off).’’

Gregorius, who is in a 16-for-90 (.178) slide, did not play on Friday night. With two dark days on this week’s schedule and after having not played last Sunday, Gregorius has started just two games in six days.

Gio Urshela returned to the lineup after sitting out Wednesday night’s loss to the Rays after getting hit by a pitch on the left hand Tuesday evening.

Urshela, who hauled an 0-for-18 into the game, went 2-for-5 with a homer.