In the span of a month, Andrew Velazquez has gone from a hometown hero to getting a ticket back to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
The Yankees optioned the Bronx-bred shortstop to Triple-A on Sunday to make room for right-hander Clarke Schmidt, who started Sunday’s series finale against the Mets. Needing to keep as many arms around as possible with the heavy workload the Yankees’ bullpen has handled lately, Velazquez proved to be the odd man out as a bench player.
“It sucked,” manager Aaron Boone said of having to option Velazquez. “Obviously he’s come up here and been a spark for us, played really well for us. My message to him was — I think he understands the situation and the need and the move we had to make — but also, making him very much aware of, from not only a players’ standpoint of how much respect he’s gained in there, but also from myself and the coaches. He’s been a big part of this now this season.”
Velazquez was called up last month to fill in for the injured Gleyber Torres and delivered strong play at shortstop while adding some timely hitting, despite only batting .234 with a .621 OPS in 26 games.
“Frankly, I expect him to be a big part of it moving forward,” Boone said. “Hopefully that’s getting him back at some point, whether that’s in the 10 days, whether something else comes up that allows him to come back, or you never know.”
Gerrit Cole came out of Saturday’s bullpen session feeling good and remains on track to start Tuesday against the Orioles. The ace left last Tuesday’s game early with hamstring tightness but will end up having his next start only pushed back by two days.
“I’ll be able to do my job,” Cole said. “I have no apprehension moving or pitching.”
Jonathan Loaisiga is nearing the end of his 10 days without throwing due to a strained rotator cuff, which landed him on the injured list Sept. 5. But it remains to be seen whether the key reliever will start throwing again once 10 days is up.
“I know he’s doing a lot better,” Boone said. “We’ll just see in a few days when hopefully he’s allowed to start playing catch and get ramped up again.”
Boone does not expect OF Clint Frazier (undisclosed) to play for the Yankees again this season, but his status beyond that remains unclear. He has been on the IL since July 1 with what was originally described as vertigo and later as vision issues.
“He’s kind of going through his workouts still, having good days and not-so-great days,” Boone said. “Right now, we want him to get to a point where he’s well and able to get back to playing full-bore.”
Luis Severino (Tommy John surgery, shoulder tightness) is scheduled to throw another bullpen session Monday. If all goes well, he could throw next in a live bullpen session or begin another rehab assignment.
Domingo German (shoulder inflammation) will pitch in a minor league game Tuesday and could rejoin the Yankees after that.
Boone said Jameson Taillon (right ankle tendon injury) has had “some steady improvement” but is still not ready to get on a mound.