The Yankees announced a series of roster moves before this evening’s game against the Red Sox. New York selected the contracts of outfielder Greg Allen, catcher Rob Brantly and infielder Hoy Jun Park (previously reported). As expected, All-Star outfielder Aaron Judge, third baseman Gio Urshela and catcher Kyle Higashioka landed on the COVID-19 injured list. (Manager Aaron Boone implied this afternoon all three players had tested positive for the virus as part of its spread within the Yankees clubhouse).
Additionally, first baseman Luke Voit has been placed on the 10-day IL, retroactive to July 13, with left knee inflammation. Fellow first baseman Chris Gittens was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to take his active roster spot.
Allen and Brantly each have a decent amount of big league experience, although neither has played in the majors to this point in 2021. Allen, a switch-hitting outfielder, suited up for the Indians and Padres between 2017-20. He’s only managed a tepid .239/.298/.343 line across 618 MLB plate appearances, but he’s an elite runner capable of covering all three outfield spots. The 28-year-old has had a strong season with Scranton, hitting .272/.409/.369 over 128 trips to the dish, drawing 15 walks and rather remarkably reaching base via hit-by-pitch nine times.
Brantly, a lefty-hitting backstop, has appeared in parts of six major league seasons for four different clubs. He appeared in one game with the Giants last year but hasn’t accrued more than 36 MLB plate appearances in any single season since 2013. The 32-year-old has hit a stellar .270/.391/.477 with six homers in 133 plate appearances with the RailRiders this year and will be on hand as Gary Sánchez’s backup while Higashioka is on the shelf.
As part of the 2021 health and safety protocols, players selected to the big league roster as replacements for players landing on the COVID-19 injured list can be removed from the 40-man roster without being exposed to waivers. Thus, each of Allen, Brantly and Park can be taken off the 40-man and returned to Scranton without being offered to other teams upon the returns of Judge, Urshela and Higashioka.
Voit’s IL placement is unrelated to the Yankees’ COVID-19 situation. It’s the third stint of the season for the slugging first baseman, who’s had a disappointing 2021 campaign because of health woes. The diagnosis of left knee inflammation is particularly alarming since Voit began the season on the IL after undergoing surgery to repair a meniscus tear in the area. (His second stint was due to an oblique strain). Voit will undergo a lubricating injection and is looking at potential platelet-rich plasma treatment, Boone told reporters (including Bryan Hoch of MLB.com). The team didn’t provide a timetable for his return, but it seems he could be looking at another significant absence given the skipper’s comments.
That should leave first base to Gittens, who was selected to the roster during Voit’s second IL stint earlier this year. The 27-year-old didn’t perform well over his first 25 MLB plate appearances, but he’s had a downright monstrous season in Triple-A. The right-handed hitting slugger has mashed at a .359/.519/.718 clip across 104 plate appearances with the RailRiders this year.
Thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.
Dude you crack me up
Would anyone be surprised if the sudden roster changeover gives the Yankees a spark? I hope not but stranger things have happened.
The Yankees got three hits Friday.
The Yankees are so screwed. I love it!
Enjoy it while it lasts. It don’t happen often.
Every season since 2009 would say otherwise
Oh, we still have at least one more run in us, @Joe. One thing I’ve learned, is that every year, it is never easy to kill the Yanks. Part of the reason it’s fun to be a Yankee fan.
Check it, @Joe.
“Fellas” like @Emerson are blatantly celebrating some unfortunate injury news. Class act, uh?
Completely gross take notwithstanding, this shows how far the Yanks get into people’s heads. & now Emerson will post some feeble grammar “correcting” comment. Bless his classless li’l heart…
Yeah @Ducky, says a lot about a person that enjoys others misfortunes. I enjoy my favorite team and other teams, good and bad, just doesn’t matter so much.
All that aside: this is a tough break though. Judge & Urshela & Higashioka have been hitting somewhat. Losing Voit is a drag too. Need some other guys to step up on offense.
Well…let’s see what we’re made of.
Go Yanks.
Hey, @Emerson.
They grill up well, too!
Nice touch capitalizing Sucky Cuckold etc. Lots of other posters skip that little touch. Shows you care about what you do, bro. Good to see.
I don’t have a septic tank though. City sewer here & outhouse up north. So – obviously – your entire post is stupid &…I win!!
I didn’t realize this was a contest, nor do I care. But you did just prove my point about being completely full of yourself, so thank you for that! Enjoy losing to the Red Sox this weekend, buddy.
@lloyd
Why don’t you give Trevor a call, he’s got a little bit of free time on his hands now & you know it’s what you want & deserve, then get back to us.
Oh, look.
Another one of my groupies. How nice. You fellas sure do pay a lot of attention to me.
Makes sense though. I’m interesting & you guys are – well – you.
You and at least 5 others love that the Yankees have covid? Most of us recognize baseball is just entertainment and have a healthier perspective on real life.
They’ve added Ron Bloomberg and Dick Tidrow for tonight’s game.
Dude just died. Try to show a but of respect.
Trying to think who was my worst draft pick for my fantasy team. Nominees are Luke Voit and Aroldis Chapman.
Be grateful you didn’t pick Marwin Gonzalez or Franchy Cordero.
But drafting Voit and Chapman we had much higher expectations! I was burned by the latter. Loved him for two months though. I’ve mailed him some sticky stuff.
let’s go Rob Brantly
Voit and many other Yanks aren’t built to last. Too many of the same body types.
As much of a disappointment as this season is it will actually be somewhat refreshing to see some enthusiasm from AAA players.
The lineup for tonight’s game against Boston reminds of a spring training away game where only a few of the starters are in the lineup.
Voit is the first baseman on my ALL-IL team.
Should be called glass volt
Great chance to see what some of the prospects have got.
This may end up being a huge boon to the yankees in the end. Forcing them to see some AAA players.
Rizzo is going to be changing the color of his pin stripes if Cubs can’t lock him up. Desperately need a power left handed bat and someone who can actually play first base.
I think that guy is going to be Corey Seager next year and DLM shifts to 1B and they trade Voit for whatever value they can.
Seager will shift to 3B in 3~4 years
Yankees don’t have much below getting blocked either way – Think it makes wayy too much sense, especially if NYY don’t make the playoffs this year
I don’t think Seager is optimal for the ledger but NY is just a different animal when it comes to these things …..If there was ever a way to pry Bryan Reynolds from Pitt Yanks should fully engage
IMHO Seager isn’t gonna be in pinstripes. But I also don’t think it will be the yanks fault. Someone whether that be the dodgers or anyone will outbid the yanks. I bet they get either a Story or Baez (1 year deal).
As a Dodger fan I can say confidently I don’t think he will be coming back because of future financial commitments necessary. For every reason why there’s 3 why nots. They’ll be more than happy getting Taylor at half the guaranteed years and 40% of the AAV
I think the “Lh” thing will become a thing…moving Torres back to 2b will be imperative and the need moving forward is obv the left side of the inf
Probably doesn’t hurt that he has a different approach than the typical Yanks lineup as well…early count hittter /doesn’t K much
A lineup starting with DLM Seager Judge Stanton is tough sledding for the opposing pitcher out the gates – You’d like more speed but it’s just not there in this next FA class
20% of Scranton just got called up
Yankees need to trade Luke Voit to the Cubs for a guy who would absolutely be great in New York. Anthony Rizzo.
wet paper is stronger!!
Bob Uecker said the only way to catch a knuckleball, is to let it quit rolling and then pick it up. Drawing an analogy from that, the only way to count the Yankees out, is when they are officially eliminated from the playoffs.
Both Rizzo or Freeman sound would be great in NY. However did we all forget the Yankees are cheap now and on a budget.
Roids catching up to the Boys. Glassman Luke