Around the Empire: Yankees news - 5/27/24

NJ.com | Randy Miller: Yankees infielder Jon Berti, who was removed from Friday night’s game with a calf injury after collapsing when he attempted to run out a groundball, received the results of his MRI yesterday. The test revealed that, while he thankfully avoided a Ryan Howard-esque Achilles injury, he nonetheless suffered a high grade strain and will be out for the foreseeable future.

In more positive news, Ian Hamilton, who has been on the COVID-19 injured list, will return on Tuesday in Anaheim, the same day that DJ LeMahieu is expected to return to the lineup. Yoendrys Gómez was optioned to the minors from the bullpen after Sunday’s matinee to make room for Hamilton, and the expectation is that Kevin Smith — who was recalled to fill in for Berti — will soon be designated for assignment assuming that LeMahieu is good to go.

MLB Trade Rumors | Nick Deeds: During the Major League portion of the Rule 5 Draft last December, the Kansas City Royals selected pitcher Matt Sauer, a Double-A pitcher in the Yankees organization who had demonstrated a high strikeout rate. After making the Royals’ Opening Day roster, he put together a strong spring before spiraling in May, and was thus was designated for assignment last week. Because he cleared waivers, he was returned to the Yankees, who assigned him to Triple-A Scranton — giving the team additional pitching debt.

MLB.com | Mike Lupica: With the NBA playoffs in full swing, the concept of a “Big 3” — a major part of basketball roster construction — has been a major topic of conversation in baseball circles. While Los Angeles’ trio of Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman has generated the most press, Juan Soto, Aaron Judge, and Giancarlo Stanton have arguably been the hottest Big 3 in baseball, and are a major reason the Yankees have gotten off to an electric start this season.

Of course, when asked about the team’s “Big 3,” Judge refused to place any of his teammates before another, calling the team a “Big 26.”

MLB Trade Rumors | Nick Deeds: Japanese pitchers Shōta Imanaga and Yoshinobu Yamamato have taken the league by storm, and Major League Baseball teams have begun to prepare for the next arrival of a Japanese ace. Young pitcher Roki Sasaki — he of 19-K perfecto fame — reportedly asked his team to post him for Major League clubs last winter, and while he ultimately remained with the Chiba Lotte Marines, rumors have continued to swirl — and teams have continued to send scouts to his starts in preparation. So even though Chiba Lotte hasn’t committed to anything yet, MLB clubs will be ready for the bidding war.