Three Up
Andrew Brackman: Live and Unfettered. (AP)
Keeping with tradition, the Yankees summoned three promising prospects—Dellin Betances, Andrew Brackman, and Jesus Montero—for a taste of life in the majors. Brackman is the only one of the group with a 40-man roster spot, and as Chad Jennings reported yesterday, the giant was activated for the final game of the Rays series. It makes sense; the Yankees already have him on the roster, and it won’t affect his arbitration clock, so why not toss him a cookie inning? He probably won’t toss more than two or three innings, though.
The other two, Betances and Montero, are almost assured of roster spots and appearances in the Bronx next year. Betances will be added prior to the Rule 5 draft, and if he pitches well between Double-A and Triple-A next year, he’ll probably get a look or three come September. Montero, on the other hand, is going to have a chance to battle it out for a roster spot in spring training; as I’ve said before, my guess is he makes it. There’s no better time to get him acclimated with the Bronx and let him chart where he wants his locker.
Betances Westbound and Down
Speaking of Betances, he will be headed to the instructional league to work on his defense; so far, there are no indications he will be tossing any innings. During the Double-A playoffs (where Trenton fell to champion Altoona), Betances made some costly errors, and considering his 6-foot-8 frame, his body is probably not completely coordinated.
Banuelos Freedom
Donnie Baseball has more Yankee company as he tunes up for his Dodgers debut: Manny Banuelos will be heading to the Arizona Fall League after all. After a brief stop in instructs, he will join the Desert Dogs to up his innings total. The Yankees had to obtain permission from Banuelos’ Mexican League team, who control his winter ball rights, to send him to Arizona.
Huffman, Be Gone!
Chad Huffman didn’t get an invite to the party after all. The Yankees designated the outfielder for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for lefty Royce Ring, who gives Joe Girardi a second southpaw option to the struggling Boone Logan. Ring had a terrific year in Scranton, with a 1.93 ERA, 8.36 strikeouts per nine innings, and one of his lowest walk rates ever, 2.36 per nine. The 29-year-old probably won’t survive roster cuts for the Rule 5 (Huffman wasn’t going to, either), so this is Ring’s chance to showcase himself for a major-league assignment next season.
Huffman might not have made it back to the Bronx, but there were still teams ready to show him some love. The Cleveland Indians claimed him off waivers but have yet to activate him.
De La Rosa Rides Again
While they were busy clearing some space on their 40-man, the Yankees designated Wilkin De La Rosa for assignment. After an awful year in Trenton, it was no surprise he cleared waivers and will remain in the organization.