The Yankees announced that they’ve reinstated first baseman/outfielder Tyler Austin from the 60-day disabled list and optioned him to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Austin, who suffered a foot fracture in Spring Training, has been limited to just 13 games on a rehab assignment thus far in 2017. He’s hit quite well in that time and comes with a very solid track record of performance in Triple-A. Given the terrible performance the Yankees have received their first basemen this season — they’re hitting a collective .150/.265/.278 this season — Austin could factor into the Major League mix for playing time if he continues to hit well in Triple-A.
More from the AL East…
- The Blue Jays appear set to add left-hander Jeff Beliveau to their roster, per Ben Nicholson-Smith and Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. The 32-year-old has 45 innings of big league experience but hasn’t been in the Majors since 2015 due partly to the fact that he underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum that year. Beliveau has a 4.00 ERA in his time as a Major Leaguer and turned in a 2.54 mark in the Orioles’ minor league system last year. He’s punched out 43 hitters in 32 innings this season with Triple-A Buffalo en route to a 3.09 ERA. Beliveau isn’t on the 40-man roster, but the Jays do have an open 40-man spot.
- Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times writes that he expects the Rays to dip into their minor league depth this week and summon a young arm such as Jacob Faria or Jose De Leon in an effort to rest what looks, at present, to be an overtaxed rotation. Calling up a promising young arm for a spot start on Wednesday would allow the Rays to get an extra day of rest for Alex Cobb, Jake Odorizzi and Erasmo Ramitez, Topkin notes. Both De Leon and Faria stand out as potential long-term pieces for a Tampa Bay rotation that is set to lose Cobb to free agency following this season and is oft-rumored to be entertaining offers on its more established arms.
- Red Sox president of baseball ops Dave Dombrowski feels it’s too early to determine the team’s greatest needs for this year’s trade deadline, writes MassLive.com’s Jen McCaffrey. Dombrowski calls this stage of the season an “information-gathering time period” and notes that there are still too many questions to pinpoint one specific need. The Sox have a number of players that are currently injured or will soon return from injuries, and the recovery and performance of players such as Pablo Sandoval, Dustin Pedroia and Brock Holt (among others) could certainly impact the team’s trade strategies.
Beliveau can’t be any worse than Howell
Erasmo ramitez, love it
Whatever. Sox biggest need is 3b, my 4 year old even knows it
and pitching…
You can never have enough starting pitching. Dombrowski needs to find some depth as Price, Pomeranz, E-rod have injuries concerns.
Not to mention giving up homers concerns.
Not really. Brian Johnson is slated to pitch in ERod’s absence. Not much beyond him, though.
(Sorry — my trigger finger must have stuttered.)
In no world do the Red Sox acquire ANOTHER 3B unless it’s handed to them. We have a struggling Vet(Panda), a sick utility(Holt), a great glove/poor bat(Marrero), and a very promising prospect(Devers). We may not like it but that’s what we’ve got to work with. Pitching, pitching and more pitching should be the The focus of every Team, especially the Red Sox.
Wonder whether impending free agents Howie Kendrick, Pat Neshek and/or Jeremy Hellickson have any interest for Bosox. For prospects, notably 3B Michael Chavis, perhaps P Roniel Raudes.
Dombrowski will be trading Devers for a well-known player. It’s what he does…
I agree with KYRedSox17. With Marrero’s defense and Panda’s bat I don’t see another 3B coming of course a lot can happen in a month with injuries. Need to make sure ERod can come back from his knee injury and the Sox need starter depth and infield depth
I think the Yankees would be willing to send Headly to BoSox. They can throw in Ells to sweeten the deal if need be.
That was funny!
Not going to disagree the Sox could use some pitching security. However, I find it relatively funny many fans are screaming for pitching now and haven’t been in the last seven years.