The Yankees had several options when it came to clearing roster space for Friday night’s anticipated return of Aaron Judge, but in the end they did what most expected — optioning Thursday night’s winning pitcher Nestor Cortes Jr. back to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after their 10-6 win over the Astros.
Cortes pitched three innings in relief of opener Chad Greene, giving up three hits and two runs and earning the win. His demotion leaves the Yankees with a 12-man pitching staff, which is risky considering how much they rely on their bullpen.
One other option would have been to drop outfielder Cameron Maybin, who was 1-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored in Thursday’s win. From June 5 to June 19, Maybin hit .405 (15-for-37) with four homers, five RBIs, .421 on-base percentage and a 1.295 OPS.
Gary Sanchez was in the lineup behind the plate for a fourth straight game a stretch that included him starting Tuesday night and Wednesday afternoon.
“I feel like he is good. I feel like we have taken care of him as far as most day games after a night game,’’ Boone said of his catcher, who had nine RBIs in his previous four games, was hitting .357 (5-for-14) with a 1.126 OPS. “I will certainly give him Saturday or Sunday off. Physically I feel he is really built up and in a good spot.’’
Sanchez rewarded Judge’s decision on Thursday night, belting a solo home run and going 2-for-5.
Jordan Montgomery underwent an MRI exam on Thursday that showed inflammation in his left shoulder and will forbid him from throwing for 14 days. Montgomery is on the IL while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery last year.
“Pretty good news there but no throw for two weeks,’’ Boone said of the left-hander who underwent the surgery last June 7.
Having been in the lineup for 41 of 42 games (he missed the first game of a twin bill May 25 in Kansas City), look for infielder DJ LeMahieu to not start in one of the three remaining games against the Astros.
“DJ will probably have one of these days off against Houston,’’ Boone said of LeMahieu, who hit .318 (57-for-179) with a .833 OPS during that stretch.
LeMahieu started at third base for the 19th time Thursday, and went 1-for-4 with a two-un homer.
It was the third time in the past four games LeMahieu played third.
LeMahieu opened the day hitting .462 (30-for-65) with runners in scoring position. That was the most hits in the majors and the second highest average. The Tigers Miguel Cabrera was hitting .464 with runners in scoring position.