/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63738456/usa_today_12549589.0.jpg)
The rumors and speculation surrounding Clint Frazier’s return swirled for days, but the Yankees made it official on Monday morning. The team announced that they activated Frazier from the 10-day injured list. As a corresponding move, Stephen Tarpley heads to Triple-A.
Frazier, 24, landed on the injured list on April 25, three days after spraining his ankle during a marathon game against the Angels. “They feel like it’s a 10- to 14-day thing,’’ Aaron Boone told Pete Caldera. Frazier missed 11 days, so that projection was right on the money.
The outfielder got off to a blazing start after receiving a call-up to replace the injured Giancarlo Stanton. He hit .324/.342/.632 with six home runs (152 wRC+) over 73 plate appearances. Frazier made some adjustments at the plate which, as Jake noted, suggested his success could be sustainable.
Tarpley, meanwhile, rejoined the team on April 24 after Chad Green was optioned. The southpaw had a fine spring training, but has struggled at the big league level. He has allowed five earned runs over 4.1 innings pitched, walking five batters as well. Tarpley does have five strikeouts to his name, but the results haven’t been enough to justify his spot in the bullpen.
Frazier represents the latest in a wave of reinforcement bats for the Yankees. First Gary Sanchez returned, then Miguel Andujar. It sounds like Aaron Hicks could arrive soon, too. The cavalry is coming, and it’s just in time.