Prior to Tuesday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Aaron Boone and the New York Yankees announced a few pieces of significant news.
The team reinstated Zack Britton and Kyle Higashioka from the IL. Britton went on the IL after suffering a hamstring strain on August 19th, while Higashioka has been out for nearly a month with an oblique strain.
To make room for Britton and Higashioka, the team DFA’d infielder Jordy Mercer and optioned pitcher Miguel Yajure. Yajure made his MLB debut on Monday, and impressed with three scoreless innings.
Right now, the Yankees are carrying three catchers as they kept Erik Kratz. Right now, the team is expecting Deivi Garcia to make another start on Friday with Kratz behind the dish.
The two worked extremely well together in Garcia’s debut on Sunday, and the two have experience working together in AAA. Garcia threw six innings on Sunday without allowing an earned run, striking out six. He’s not currently on the roster but will be added by Friday.
The 40-year-old Kratz has been big for the Yankees this year, and been one of the guys stepping up big time. He’s bat .300 and called some great games, and his start with Garcia was no exception. Plus, he’s been a clubhouse presence along with Brett Gardner, filling the shoes of CC Sabathia in a way.
If Kratz and Garcia continue to have success, then the both of them could be around for the final month of the season. Kratz is looking to keep reps away from Higashioka, while Garcia is trying to keep the ball out of the hands of guys like JA Happ and fellow rookie Michael King.