While the New York Yankees head for the City of Angels, everything you need to know about your Big Apple Bashers is right here.
Good morning! And what a beautiful morning it is for the New York Yankees, coming off a sweep of those pesky birds.
Just as rookie right-handed reliever Domingo German was seen giving high-fives after closing out Sunday’s victory with his stellar 2.2 innings of scoreless relief, so too was he seen giving farewell hugs to his teammates. Ultimately, his reward for allowing just two hits was a ticket back on the Scranton Express.
ROSTER MOVES: The Yankees option RHP Domingo German to Triple-A @swbrailriders. Prior to Monday's game, will recall RHP Ben Heller from SWB.
— Yankees PR Dept. (@YankeesPR) June 11, 2017
In a corresponding move, the Yankees have called up right-handed reliever Ben Heller, who is sporting a 2.60 ERA, with a 1.05 WHIP and just a .182 batting average against in 20 appearances at Triple-A Scranton this year.
If yesterday’s performance was any indication, however, it shouldn’t be the last we hear from Domingo German in 2017.
Cuban Missile Nearing Launch
Aroldis Chapman touched 98 mph during his 18 pitch simulated game at High-A Tampa on Saturday.
The left-handed fireballer is set to make two appearances at the minor-league levels before joining the team in Oakland this coming weekend: Tuesday for High-A Tampa at Bradenton and Friday at AA Trenton.
ATTENTION: All members of the Bradenton and Trenton communities – get your popcorn and your radar guns ready!
Achy Jakey
Despite learning earlier this past weekend that Aaron Hicks will retain the Yankees starting job in center field, Jacoby Ellsbury continues to progress slowly in his attempts of returning to the big league club.
According to MLB.com’s Brian Hoch, Joe Girardi said that instead of joining the team on their California road trip, Ellsbury will head to AA Trenton to get in on some baseball activities.
The Oregon native has been seen riding an exercise bike and running on a treadmill, but has not been allowed to even start sprinting as of yet. In Trenton however, Ellsbury will join the team and finally get some actual baseball work on the diamond.
Bird Still Needs to Nest
As Chris Carter’s bat is just starting to get going, news from down on the farm finds Greg Bird continuing to make progress in his own comeback process.
After being promoted to Triple-A Scranton, the young first baseman has gone 1-for-8 in just two starts since joining the Railriders.
Girardi said that there is no defined timetable for Bird’s return, adding that he needs more at-bats before they would consider bringing him back up.
With New York being at or near the bottom of the league in every offensive category for first baseman, it seems as though Bird cannot come back fast enough.
Don’t Judge, These are the Facts
Finally from the “in case you didn’t realize what you were seeing” department, check out this incredible tidbit of information courtesy of Sweeny Murti.
June 11, 1927 Babe Ruth (60) hit HRs 19 & 20.
June 11, 1961 Roger Maris (61) hit HRs 19 & 20.
June 11, 2017 Aaron Judge hit HRs 20 & 21.
— Sweeny Murti (@YankeesWFAN) June 11, 2017
That’s all we have from Yankee universe for now. Be sure to stay tuned in to Elite Sports NY for absolutely all of the most up-to-the-minute Yankees and all things New York Sports information.