The Yankees have signed right-hander Bruce Billings to a Major League contract and selected him to their 25-man roster. The club announced the signing prior to yesterday’s game against Boston. Billings is represented by John Boggs & Associates.
Billings’ spot on the 25-man roster was created when Ivan Nova was shifted to the 60-day disabled list, as he will miss the rest of the 2014 season after choosing to undergo Tommy John surgery. In other corresponding moves, the Yankees also called up righty Shane Greene while infielder Dean Anna and right-hander Preston Claiborne were optioned to Triple-A.
Billings was part of the trade package Colorado sent to Oakland for Mark Ellis in July 2011, and the 28-year-old made all four of his career Major League appearances in that same season (three with the A’s and one with the Rockies). Since that cup of coffee in the bigs, Billings spent 2012-13 working primarily as a starter for the Athletics’ Double-A and Triple-A affiliates and he signed a minor league deal with the Yankees in January. He has a 2.74 ERA, 2.57 K/BB rate and 18 strikeouts over 23 innings (four starts) at the Triple-A level this season.
they are buying everyone! (sarcasm)
Yeah, because if there was a speck of pitching talent available to be bought right now, they wouldn’t even think about it. (more sarcasm)
I didn’t see the actual Yankees release, but I’m guessing they actually just selected his contract. He signed a minor league deal with the Yankees this offseason and had been pitching for their AAA team.
Was bit surprised they sent Anna down, since it means that Jeter probably plays everyday for the time being. I guess they rather be short in their bench than bullpen, while Pineda is out.
I think Solarte can play SS not to sure. I know I’ve seen him at 3rd and 2nd
He has played a little bit of it, but he isn’t really more than a backup at shortstop. If he really could play it, there is no doubt he would have played it significantly. Currently he is the backup ss, but not sure if they would trust him enough to start him out there, and ryan still looks a couple weeks away from starting.