The Yankees have announced five roster moves prior to today’s doubleheader with the Rays. Catcher Erik Kratz joins the active roster after signing a Major League contract with the team, and Kratz will take the place of catcher Kyle Higashioka, who is headed to the 10-day injured list (retroactive to August 6) due to a right oblique strain. The Yankees also brought up infielder Thairo Estrada from their alternate training camp and named righty Albert Abreu as their extra 29th man for the double-header. Right-hander Nick Tropeano has also been designated for assignment to create roster space for Estrada.
Given that even minor oblique injuries usually take a couple of weeks of recovery time, Higashioka could potentially be in danger of missing the rest of the 2020 season if he has suffered anything beyond a low-level strain. Any sort of IL stint is a tough blow to Higashioka, who was slated for a larger role as New York’s backup catcher behind Gary Sanchez when Austin Romine departed for the Tigers in the offseason.
Higashioka’s absence opens the door for Kratz to play in his 11th MLB season. The veteran signed another minors deal with the Yankees over the offseason, his third such deal in less than three years’ time, though Kratz’s total official tenure in the pinstripes consists of only four games in 2017. Mostly working as a part-timer throughout his career, Kratz will back up Sanchez as New York is now suddenly rather short at catcher if Higashioka is indeed facing a lengthy absence. Josh Thole and Max McDowell are the other catching options within the 60-man player pool, as Chris Iannetta was placed on the restricted list yesterday and could be retiring.
It wasn’t long ago that Abreu was one of the most intriguing prospects in baseball, drawing top-100 attention prior to the 2017 season and even a placement in the 100th position on Baseball Prospectus minor league rankings before the 2018 season. Coming from the Astros as part of the November 2016 trade that sent Brian McCann to Houston, Abreu has yet to truly distinguish himself over three seasons in New York’s farm system, with injuries also hampering his progress. Abreu has a 3.77 ERA, 2.11 K/BB rate, and 9.1 K/9 over 439 minor league frames, though none above the Double-A level.
MLB.com’s scouting report says “all three of Abreu’s pitches can grade as well above average,” as his repertoire includes an upper-90s fastball, a “power slurve,” and an interesting changeup. Depending on his health, Abreu’s future could be in the bullpen rather than in the starting rotation, and the Yankees are likely to use him as a reliever in his first taste of Major League action. It also isn’t certain if Abreu could just be getting a cup of coffee due to the expanded doubleheader roster, or if the Yankees have an eye towards seeing if he can contribute in a larger role throughout the season.
Tropeano’s contract was only selected on Thursday, so his tenure with the Bronx Bombers could possibly end without ever appearing in an official game. Tropeano signed a minor league deal back in January, coming to New York in the wake of a rough 2019 that saw him post a 9.88 over 13 2/3 IP with the Angels and also struggle significantly at Triple-A ball.
As I read this I got all pumped up. I was hoping Al Albreu the kid acquired from the Astros for Brian McCann was starting the 2nd game of the doubleheader today against the Rays. He is of my favorite Yankee pitching prospects that throws 3 pitches with a great fastball that can hit triple digits.
Maybe he will relieve either Loaisaga or King.
@Perksy- Hope Abreu starts. Maybe, Michael King starts. We gotta keep Johnny Lasagna in the bullpen where he belongs. He’s been great there. As a starter he is to prone to injury
It would be cool to see Abreu and Howard match up in their MLB debuts
Eric Kratz… all-decade role player team?
Way to carve out a 10-year career. It’s Pension time. Good grinding For real.
He’s played great for the Yankees in his career with a 546 OPS+, which is probably why they brought him back.
He doesn’t even have 6 years of service time. He isn’t getting that 10 year pension!
@digimike- I hope Eric Kratz takes Chris Iannetta with him. It’s definitely time to retire. But thanks for the memories. No pension at all. lol
Alright… maybe I just glanced at Erik Kratz’ 10 years of playing with MLB teams without taking actual service time into account for the pension.
So who gets a pension Erik Kratz or Chris Stewart?
Yeah, I think the noticeable lack of backup talent at C may have prompted their draft selections of catchers with high upside.
@Yankee Clipper- Your 100% percent correct. But the Yankees will probably have Austin Wells playing lst base or dhing. Don’t get me wrong they will start him off as a catcher. But it will be his bat that should get him in the majors in 2 or 3 years. Maybe, catching prospect Anthony Seigler comes up late next season. He’s young though only 21 years of age.
Andujar and Estrada were on the traveling taxi squad where Frazier was in Scranton. Still no Andujar is very interesting. Will they go with Voit and Ford sharing 1B and DH?
If they do that, that would be another clear message sent.
@hockeyjohn- keep hearing Yanks will turn the page on Andujar even with the injury to Giancarlo they are definitely entertaining trades. Yanks want a lefty starter and a backup catcher. The Braves lefty starters Kyle Muller or Tucker Davidson fit the bill along with catcher William Contreras who is defensively ready.
You will not get Contreras and a pitcher from Atlanta. You are truly overvaluing Andujar.
hockeyjohn- don’t be shocked if this happens. The Braves want Andujar and are so loaded with talent. This trade wouldn’t hurt them a bit. Atlanta looks at William Contreras as expendable with Alex Jackson and Shea Langeliers there. If the Yanks took back Huascar Ynoa the trade would of been completed already. The Yankees want Kyle Muller or Tucker Davidson to get the deal done instead of Ynoa.
Eric Kratz is a Beast! He is like Timex watch. He keeps going and going