Lots of news breaking about the Yankees.
The New York Yankees have agreed to minor league deals with RHP Cory Wade and LHP Greg Smith and the two have been sent to AAA Scranton.
Wade, 28, last pitched for the Rays AAA affiliate, the Durham Bulls. For more on Wade, here is an article written by Steve Slowinski.
Wade is a 28-year-old relief pitcher and while he's no longer a "prospect", he looked like a player that could help in the Rays' bullpen this season. After having shoulder surgery last season, Wade was doing very well in Triple-A this year, striking out 8.4 batters per nine, while walking a miniscule 1.5 batters per nine. He'd allowed four homeruns over his 36 innings pitched, but still, he had a 1.23 ERA and 3.34 FIP -- he was darn good. Not only that, but Wade had frequently worked two innings at a time.
Wade definitely has a good chance of making it to the MLB quickly with the Yankees.
Smith, 27, is a former Athletic and Rockie. You may remember him as being a piece of the Matt Holliday trade. Lefties hit .224 against Smith in his short MLB career.
In other news, David Phelps was scratched from his Triple-A start tonight. This caused many to believe that he is going to start on Thursday, but Brian Cashman says not to be so sure about that -
We will see - just preserving all options.
The Yankees will use Phelps if Noesi pitches in relief before Thursday, but if Noesi isn't used it is up for interpretation. Noesi can pitch 75-85 pitches if he does start.
Russell Martin sat out today with back stiffness, but Jesus Montero was back in the AAA lineup.
Free. Jesus. Montero.