The Yankees announced that they have selected the contract of left-handed reliever Lucas Luetge, whom they signed to a minor league contract in the offseason. To make room for Luetge on their 40-man, the Yankees placed fellow southpaw reliever Zack Britton on the 60-day injured list. Britton will miss the first few months of the season as a result of elbow surgery.
Luetge makes for an interesting story as someone who hasn’t pitched in the majors in several years. A 21st-round pick of the Brewers in 2008, Luetge debuted with the Mariners in 2012 and stuck with the organization through 2015, though he combined for only 89 innings during that stretch. As a member of the M’s, Luetge logged a 4.35 ERA with unimpressive strikeout rates of 19 percent and 12.1 percent, respectively, while averaging a little over 90 mph on his fastball. He has since pitched in the minors with a handful of other teams, and he spent last year with the A’s organization.
To Luetge’s credit, he improbably shut down opposing hitters this spring with Yankees, as the 34-year-old tossed 10 1/3 innings of two-run, eight-hit ball with an eye-opening 18 strikeouts against two walks. Thanks to that tremendous performance and injuries to Britton and lefty Justin Wilson, whom the Yankees placed on the 10-day IL with shoulder inflammation, Luetge was able to earn a season-opening spot in the Yankees’ bullpen. He’ll be their relief corps’ top southpaw behind Aroldis Chapman until Wilson returns.
Along with the above moves, the Yankees placed first baseman Luke Voit (left knee) and third baseman/outfielder Miguel Andujar (right wrist) on the 10-day IL, retroactive to March 29. Neither decision came as a surprise – Voit just underwent surgery, while Andujar’s wrist has bothered him for a couple of weeks.
Lucas made it, by George!
Luetge is a good story, man.
& he killed it this spring.
Goodness gracious. Hasn’t thrown in the bigs for 5 years & heads north with the Yanks. That’s so awesome.
He’s looked good this spring. Hopefully he can keep it up.
Hey Joe.
He sure has. I didn’t even remember the Yanks signing him. 18 K’s & 2 BB’s? Jeeez, that’ll play. Hope he’s figured something permanent & sustainable out.
I hear Disney has the rights to the movie.
Andujar will probably spend his career on the IL
Before 2019, Andujar never appeared brittle. Yet somehow, he turned into Nick Johnson Jr.
l’m sure he was very emotional when he heard the news. We’re very happy for you too. See you out there soon!
l’m sure he was very emotional when he heard the news. We’re very happy for you too. See you out there soon!
I felt Andujar came out of no where with that rookie year. 47 doubles was no joke even if at new Yankee stadium. Hope he can come back healthy since he is young enough. Hopefully that’s his real age.. Goo Angels!
I wish Andujar was healthy. I like guys like him. Not a big home run guy, although he can hit his fair share, but guys who drive the gap and turn in high doubles totals.
When did Andujar ever do badly? He had one year and hit really well. If mr. brittle Giancarlo could play the field , andujar could at least Dj if healthy. As far as 3b, still not 100% sure of urshella
I like Miggy.
He was really exciting & very clutch for us in ’18.
But: “When did Andujar ever do badly?”
Just last year for starters, man.
-0.4 WAR
OPS+ of 75
Those are bad numbers. Miggy had a fantastic rookie campaign. But, Giancarlo Stanton has *always* been an offensive force. Good heavens, he damn near dragged us past the Rays all by himself. How soon they forget.
So happy – Cinderella story
Lucas with the lid off. Congrats on making it back to the bigs.
They brought him up for now in part because of his spring, but he’s also disposable. They’re not worried about starting the clock or service time or payroll because chances are he won’t be in the organization by the end of the year.
It would be great if he’s turned a corner and can be successful, but I think the Yankees plan on releasing him and clearing a 40 man slot when he’s not needed on the MLB roster anymore.
Or they can trade him to a pitching needy team if he remains serviceable.
yankees pro scouting department has a great track record in recent years (all position players, but still) and they seem to like him. maybe they spotted some adjustment he could make? let’s hope he’s the pitching version of urshela