The Yankees announced a few moves yesterday, signing Brad Miller, releasing Gio Gonzalez, and calling up Jonathan Loaisiga. In order to make room for Loaisiga, today the Yankees made a corresponding move, optioning relief pitcher Joe Harvey to Triple-A.
Harvey acquitted himself well during his brief stay with the big club. He made four appearances, allowing just one run across five innings, striking out six and walking two. He sat around 95 or 96 mph with his fastball and didn’t look at all out of place in a major-league bullpen.
The Yankees also sent Loaisiga to the bullpen, after it was initially reported that Loaisiga would make a start tonight versus the Angels. Domingo German will start instead, allowing Loaisiga to provide a boost to what is surely a tired relief corps. With last night’s game stretching through 14 innings, and with German’s tendency to submit relatively short starts, Loaisiga’s services should come in handy rather soon.
Loaisiga has appeared twice in the majors this season, both starts. His overall line would look strong if it came in one outing; seven innings, one run, nine strikeouts, albeit with five walks. He made one start in the minors, allowing one run in five innings while striking out seven and walking three.
It’s no surprise the Yankees moved some pieces around, coming off back-to-back extra-inning affairs. They’ve lost the luxury of using Loaisiga as a sixth starter in the coming days, but he should be useful out of the bullpen. Meanwhile, the man he’s replaced, Harvey, performed admirably this month, and shouldn’t stay in Scranton for too long before a return trip to the majors.