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Yankees Place Joey Gallo, Kyle Higashioka On COVID IL

By Darragh McDonald | May 22, 2022 at 2:20pm CDT

With just minutes to go before today’s doubleheader against the White Sox, the Yankees have announced a series of roster moves. Outfielder Joey Gallo and catcher Kyle Higashioka have been placed on the COVID-19 injured list. Catcher Ben Rortvedt was transferred from the 10-day IL to the 60-day IL. Additionally, the club recalled righty David McKay and signed catcher Rob Brantly to the active roster.

The club hasn’t provided any information about why exactly Gallo and Higashioka have been placed on the COVID list, though manager Aaron Boone did say that Gallo was “under the weather” yesterday, per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. Players can be placed on the COVID-related IL for positive tests, experiencing symptoms or for contract tracing purposes. Under the league’s 2022 health-and-safety protocols, players who test positive are subject to a 10-day absence from the club. It’s possible to be reinstated in less time if the player has gone 24 or more hours without a fever, received a pair of negative PCR tests, and been given approval from a team physician and the MLB/MLBPA joint committee (a panel of one league-appointed and one union-appointed physician).

With Gallo out, the Yankees still have Aaron Judge, Aaron Hicks and Giancarlo Stanton for their outfield mix. Though with Stanton frequently in the DH slot, it’s possible that Marwin Gonzalez gets more time on the grass. Estevan Florial, the 27th man for today’s doubleheader, could also stick around for some added outfield depth in the days to come.

Higashioka and Jose Trevino have been combining to handle the work behind the dish for the Yanks, with each appearing in parts of 24 games so far this year. Brantly, 32, is a journeyman catcher, having played for the Marlins, White Sox, Phillies and Giants, before suiting up for the Yankees last year. He was outrighted and re-signed to a minor league deal in the offseason. Through 14 Triple-A games this year, he’s hitting .257/.341/.371, 96 wRC+. He’ll presumably act as Trevino’s backup until Higashioka is eligible to return.

As for Rortvedt, he recently underwent knee surgery and isn’t expected to return to game activity for 6-8 weeks, making his transfer largely a formality. Acquired alongside Josh Donaldson in this offseason’s trade with the Twins, he has yet to appear in a game for the Yankees, starting the year off with an oblique issue before this knee injury surfaced.

McKay, 27, was signed by the Rays to a minor league deal over the winter but was traded to the Yankees in April. He’s yet to appear with the big league team, but has been throwing well in Triple-A. In 14 2/3 innings with the RailRiders, he has a 1.84 ERA and 36.8% strikeout rate, though that comes with a 14% walk rate.

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New York Yankees Transactions Ben Rortvedt David McKay Joey Gallo Kyle Higashioka Rob Brantly

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A’s Reinstate Cole Irvin
View Comments (41)
Post a Comment

41 Comments

  1. FSF

    3 years ago

    Well maybe they’ll finally be able to put the ball in play during Gallo’s spot in the lineup.

    5
    Reply
    • Cosmo2

      3 years ago

      His K rate is horrific

      3
      Reply
      • Jbfly33

        3 years ago

        He’s already had two 200 strikeout seasons. What team in their right mind would sign him and yet the Yankees did.‍♂️

        Reply
    • Javia135

      3 years ago

      Does this mean he is no longer available for a Gore for Gallo trade?

      2
      Reply
  2. jackjohnson52183

    3 years ago

    For How Long Will They Be Out?

    1
    Reply
  3. drasco036

    3 years ago

    I really think baseball teams are using the Covid IL designation for poor play…

    3
    Reply
    • Joe says...

      3 years ago

      IDK, they didn’t add Hicks to the COVID IL.

      10
      Reply
      • DR2020

        3 years ago

        Please do. Addition by subtraction.

        1
        Reply
    • Jung Like My Daddy

      3 years ago

      What? Teams wouldn’t deceive and misuse the covid list. They have integrity and honor and play by the rules. What ever would lead you to believe such a thing.

      I’m shocked I tell you. Shocked.

      6
      Reply
      • Brick House Coffee Tables Inc

        3 years ago

        Jason Heyward would like a word with you.

        Reply
    • Javia135

      3 years ago

      Replacing clean samples with dirty samples? Pretty extreme.

      Reply
      • Jung Like My Daddy

        3 years ago

        Just use a red sharpie and draw the second line to indicate a positive test like the rest of us that want to avoid stuff we don’t want to do or need a vacation.

        4
        Reply
        • StudWinfield

          3 years ago

          At least it’s not the monkeypox-IL

          4
          Reply
      • drasco036

        3 years ago

        It’s my understanding that player do not need to test positive, just show Covid like symptoms and there are different designations/durations for showing symptoms and a positive test…

        1
        Reply
  4. Monkey’s Uncle

    3 years ago

    Some cats have 9 lives. Rob Brantly must have 9 cats.

    1
    Reply
  5. StupendousYappi

    3 years ago

    This is the perfect chance for the yankees to wash their hands of Gallo. Just send him home for the year and let insurance pick up the tab.

    2
    Reply
    • Cosmo2

      3 years ago

      The insurance company might object to such a plan

      1
      Reply
      • mlbnyyfan

        3 years ago

        Yankees need to trade for Benintendi now. That’s who the Yankees should of traded for last year instead of Gallo.

        3
        Reply
        • FredMcGriff for the HOF

          3 years ago

          Ninja Cash had coveted Gallo for along time. He got his man.

          1
          Reply
        • FredMcGriff for the HOF

          3 years ago

          I see Donaldson is not in the lineup tonight. Hmmm….

          1
          Reply
        • robluca21

          3 years ago

          Maybe because he played the first game of the double header ?

          2
          Reply
        • Mickey777

          3 years ago

          Mlbnyyfan, Couldn’t possibly agree with you more. I’ve been pleading for him since before the season started. Had the pleasure of watching Benny at Salem, VA before he made the majors. Salem was then high A, by the end of the season he was starting for the Boston Red Sox. He is the player Chicago wanted most when they made the trade for Chris Sale, they settled for Moncada. Good left fielder and can play a passable CF. Line drive hitter that would probably learn to pull more at Yankee Stadium. Let’s keep our fingers crossed

          Reply
        • Jbfly33

          3 years ago

          I’ve wanted Benintendi to be a Yankee ever since he was drafted. Of course the Red Sox got to him first but now we have our chance…

          Reply
    • robluca21

      3 years ago

      You realize Gallo is hitting around league average . He gets hot and can carry a team for weeks . Try being a little patient. There’s no reason to jettison Gallo. He’s a proven talent

      1
      Reply
  6. DR2020

    3 years ago

    Wont miss Gallo , and send hicks with him please.

    Reply
  7. Poster formerly known as . . .

    3 years ago

    So Kay just informed us in the postgame that Chapman supposedly “is receiving treatment” on his Achilles tendon. So why did Boone use him and then keep him in after he’d given the lead to the White Sox? Chapman “said he wanted to stay in.”

    Reply
    • DR2020

      3 years ago

      Do I have to answer that?

      Reply
      • Poster formerly known as . . .

        3 years ago

        Naa. It’s rhetorical matter for your deep contemplation.

        Reply
    • whyhayzee

      3 years ago

      I don’t think Dr. Boonedoggle is capable of dealing with such specifics as an Achilles tendon. He’s more about boo-boos, owies and being under the weather. Also, he’s way overusing Clay Holmes, so he’ll be the next in line for an injury.

      Oh, and Donaldson is a horse’s rear end.

      But otherwise, things are still in good shape.

      Reply
      • Joe says...

        3 years ago

        I agree that Donaldson is a horse’s rear end but the whole “racist” thing is total BS.

        4
        Reply
        • Yankee Clipper

          3 years ago

          “ whole “racist” thing is total BS.”

          Especially when LaRussa is the one that labeled him….. just sayin’.

          3
          Reply
      • Poster formerly known as . . .

        3 years ago

        Clay Holmes doesn’t need to throw a lot of pitches to get outs. There are 69 relievers who’ve thrown more pitches than Holmes. Holmes has thrown 273 pitches. Wil Crowe, the leader, has thrown 436.

        Reply
    • Yankee Clipper

      3 years ago

      Just when I think Boone is getting the hang of the in-game – judge a player by his performance – down, he completely bombs and defaults to feelings, again.

      Boone, injured guy not pitching well = terrible result. Not to mention further injury if you just try to drown-proof him on the mound!

      Surprisingly, Boone handled the whole JD-comment thing really well with the press, for all intents and purposes, imo. “Josh was stupid, but after talking with him we determined he’s only stupid, not racist & stupid” basically.

      2
      Reply
      • Poster formerly known as . . .

        3 years ago

        This was a winnable series until Boone put Chapman on the mound. If it’s true that he was suffering from an Achilles injury, why would any manager send him out there in a tie game in the ninth — and then leave him out there when his struggles were obvious? Incomprehensible.

        1
        Reply
        • Yankee Clipper

          3 years ago

          “ why would any manager send him out there in a tie game in the ninth — and then leave him out there when his struggles were obvious? ”

          One word answer, rhymes with swoon….

          You’re right, even with the *worst* & most uneducated manager, one would think that’s a fairly obvious choice regarding Chapman. I just….don’t get Boone. I’d put Hicks in; he sucks at everything else, why not see if he can pitch?

          Reply
        • YankeesBleacherCreature

          3 years ago

          @Clip They’re next off-day isn’t until June 6th so I guess he doesn’t want to over-tax the pen with Green out. Only one run in 18 innings is more of my concern. Still playing .700+ ball so there’s that.

          Reply
        • Yankee Clipper

          3 years ago

          Yeah, that’s a great point and one that needs to be stressed because it’s easy to stress the BP guys. But pitching Chapman with an Achilles issue doesn’t seem wise. Whatever.

          .700 ball is what matters. Can’t win every one, but I’d like to! I’m hard to please though – I’ll only be happy if we are +20 on the RSox by the AS break…lol.

          As an aside, Story is heating up, so that’s a bit concerning.

          1
          Reply
  8. jackjohnson52183

    3 years ago

    Can They Be Reinstated?

    Reply
  9. pinterman

    3 years ago

    Brian Cashman on line one, Mr Gardner.

    Reply
    • Poster formerly known as . . .

      3 years ago

      Gardner can pitch now?

      Reply
      • jackjohnson52183

        3 years ago

        What?

        Reply

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