The Yankees have designated left-hander Justin Thomas for assignment, according to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News (via Twitter). After the Red Sox removed Thomas from their 40-man roster in May, he was claimed by the Yankees and posted a 3.45 ERA, a 2.45 K/BB ratio and a 7.7 K/9 rate in 30 games (six of them starts) for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season. Thomas also appeared in four Major League games for New York, allowing three runs in three innings of work.
In a corresponding move, David Aardsma has been activated from the 60-day disabled list and will take Thomas' place on the Yankees' 40-man roster. Aardsma hasn't pitched in the Majors since 2010 due to hip surgery during the 2010-11 offseason and Tommy John surgery last July. The Yankees also activated Brett Gardner from the 60-day DL today and designated Steve Pearce for assignment.
No big loss. Definitely a Triple-A guy only.
Its nice to have Gardner bat, but his greatest asset is working counts and getting on base, in addition to his speed. Having him strictly for defense is nice I guess, but nothing to write home about considering he probably won’t even be in the field until the 9th inning. Has it been confirmed that he will not swing the bat this year?
I’m not sure Brett Gardner is totally ready. I think he may be an updated version of Homer Bush, a speedster coming off the bench. I think I heard he still is unable to play the field. However to go deep in the playoffs you need to play small ball and Gardner can be a sparkplug
Don’t really understand what’s the big deal with adding Gardner to the roster because of his speed. They have Nunez,, Dickerson and Mesa, who by now recognizes 3rd base, to use as pinch runners. Pearce is nothing to write home about, but he can hit one out much easier than Gardner In late game situation. I’m not sure if Gardner can even swing a bat yet! Seems as if the move was made just to make a move.
If Aardsma can show his form in a brief audition, this will have been one of the better bargain-basement signings of late; his salary is near the major-league minimum for this season.
As for Thomas, he will essentially be an AAA long-relief man and spot starter.