Within a month, Andrew Velazquez has gone from a hometown hero to getting a ticket back to Scranton / Wilkes-Barre.
The Yankees opted for the Triple-A shortstop in the Bronx shortfield on Sunday to make way for right-hander Clarke Schmidt, who began the series finale Sunday against the Mets. With the need to keep the maximum number of arms around the great workload that the Yankees ’bull track has achieved lately, Velázquez proved to be the odd man as a bench player.
“It went wrong,” manager Aaron Boone said of having to opt for Velázquez. “Obviously, he came here and it was a spark for us, he played very well for us. My message to him was: I think he understands the situation, the need and the move we had to make, but also, making him very aware, from the players ’point of view not only of the respect he has earned, but also also of me and the coaches. It has been an important part of this season this season.
Velazquez was called up last month to replace injured Gleyber Torres and offered a strong play on the field while adding some timely punches, despite only beating .234 with a .621 OPS in 26 games.
“Frankly, I hope he makes an important part of it,” Boone said. “Hopefully this will get him back at some point, either in the previous ten days, if something comes up that allows him to come back or you never know.”
Gerrit Cole came out of Saturday’s bull session feeling good and is still on track to start Tuesday against the Orioles. The ace left last Tuesday’s game early with a hamstring strain, but will end up having his next start only set back in two days.
“I’ll be able to do my job,” Cole said. “I have no apprentices in moving or throwing.”
Jonathan Loaisiga is nearing the end of his ten days without throwing due to a rotator cuff tension, which put him on the injured list on September 5th.
“I know he’s doing a lot better,” Boone said. “We’ll see in a few days when, hopefully, he’ll be allowed to start playing catch and get back up.”
Boone doesn’t expect OF Clint Frazier (undisclosed) to play with the Yankees again this season, but his status beyond that is still unclear. He has been in the IL since July 1 with what was originally described as vertigo and later as vision problems.
“He’s still going through his workouts, having good days and not-so-good days,” Boone said. “Right now we want him to get to a point where he’s fine and can play full boredom again.”
Luis Severino (Tommy John surgery, shoulder strain) is scheduled to launch another bullpen session on Monday. If all goes well, he could do the following in a live bullfight session or start another rehab task.
Domingo German (shoulder inflammation) will throw a minor league game on Tuesday and could rejoin the Yankees later.
Boone said Jameson Taillon (right ankle tendon injury) has had “constant improvement,” but is not yet ready to climb a mound.