Yankees’ manager Aaron Boone told reporters that Zack Britton is heading back to the injured list with a left hamstring strain, per Lindsey Adler of The Athletic (via Twitter). A back issue has landed Wandy Peralta on the injured list as well, while Albert Abreu and Brooks Kriske will be recalled from Triple-A. They are available out of the bullpen tonight, per Erik Boland of Newsday Sports and MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch (Twitter links).
Britton, a significant piece of New York’s run prevention plan, has just five appearances on the season. On the bright side, the Yankees don’t expect Britton to miss too much time, with Boone characterizing the injury as more “cramping” than “strain,” per ESPN’s Marly Rivera (via Twitter). A bone spur in his elbow forced Britton to miss the first 72 days of the season. Since returning, the Yankees’ deputy southpaw tossed 4 1/3 innings, giving up two earned runs on three hits (one homer), three walks, and a hit batsman while striking out three.
Peralta’s IL stint is retroactive to June 23rd. Since arriving from the Giants in exchange for Mike Tauchman, Peralta has a 5.28 ERA/5.69 FIP in 15 1/3 innings over 20 outings. He has recorded just nine strikeouts in that time for a substandard 13.9 percent strikeout rate.
Peralta leans heavily on his change-up with a 38.4 percent usage rate, but it’s his slider that’s not generating swings and misses. The whiff rate on Peralta’s breaking ball has seen a year-over-year decline from 42.9 percent to 37.0 percent. He’s throwing it less as a result, but it’s still his second most-used offering with a 25.5 percent usage rate. If Peralta’s slider has been affected by his recent back pain, there may be some cause for optimism that he can again become an effective big-league arm, as he’s been at multiple stages of his MLB career.
Abreu, 25, and Kriske, 27, have each spent time in the Majors this season, making four appearances apiece. Abreu served as more of a long man, soaking up 8 2/3 innings while allowing just two earned runs on two hits while walking four and striking out 10. Kriske has been less effective, surrendering five earned runs while facing just 20 batters in those four innings of work.