He's back leading off tonite--Gardner hitting 3rd...
Welcome to September baseball as the Yankees look to possibly make up a few games over the lowly Boston Red Sox. They're going to need a big series if they want to stay in the playoff race, but how many times have we said that only to be let down rather quickly?
Yankees lineup: Ellsbury 8 Jeter 6 Gardner 7 Teixeira 3 Beltran 9 McCann DH Prado 4 Headley 5 Cervelli 2 Greene RHP
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) September 2, 2014
Jacoby Ellsbury is back in the lineup after a sprained ankle looked destined to keep him out indefinitely. Derek Jeter is still batting second, but now Brett Gardner is hitting behind him for some reason. Mark Teixeira bats cleanup, Carlos Beltran is back in right field and Brian McCann is the designated hitter. Martin Prado gets the start at second base with Chase Headley at third and Francisco Cervelli behind the plate.
With rosters expanding yesterday, the Yankees have announced eight call ups, including the recently acquired Chaz Roe and Chris Young. They have also brought up John Ryan Murphy, Preston Claiborne, Antoan Richardson, Rich Hill, Chase Whitley, and Bryan Mitchell. To make room for all these additions, Matt Daley has been released, Masahiro Tanaka and Slade Heathcott (surprisingly) have been added to the 60-day disabled list, and Zoilo Almonte has been designated for assignment.
Moving Tanaka to the 60 doesn't mean much, since he's been out since June; it's just a paper move to get someone else on the roster. Putting Slade on the 60 now means that his MLB service time has officially started. They have previously resisted doing this with Manny Banuelos and haven't done it with Jose Campos either. Why not just try to release him and re-sign him?
Bringing up Roe and Hill to join Josh Outman pretty much says that neither Jacob Lindgren or Tyler Webb will be in the majors this year. That's disappointing. I'm a little surprised Zoilo is getting the boot, but I can't say it's a mistake, though will Richardson be any better?
