Yanks lose Kahnle & Cessa to DL
THE Yankees have lost two more pitchers to the disabled list. Tommy Kahnle (right shoulder tendinitis) and Luis Cessa (left oblique strain) were both placed on the 10-day DL Tuesday. Kahnle's DL stint is retroactive to Monday. Kahnle, who had posted a 6.14 ERA in his first six appearances, underwent an MRI on Tuesday, but Aaron Boone said the team is optimistic that it won't be a long-term injury.
“We’re hoping this is something we can knock out with a few days of rest,” Boone said. Kahnle’s velocity was noticeably down. After averaging 98.1 mph on his fastball last season, he was averaging 95.5 on his heater this season, according to Brooks Baseball. Kahnle was also throwing his heater less — down from almost 66% to 45%.
Cessa was injured in Tuesday’s 9-1 loss to the Marlins. He was expected to get a spot start with the team playing so many days in a row, but the Yankees may need to adjust and use Domingo German in that role.
Cessa, who gave up two runs in two innings, had been brought up to replace Kahnle on the roster.
The Yankees will get CC Sabathia (hip) back from the DL and he will start on Thursday against the Blue Jays.
WORD ON BIRD
Greg Bird hit off a tee on Tuesday, the first time he’s swung since undergoing right ankle surgery. Bird is now three weeks into his projected sixto-eight week timetable for a return from the disabled list. “It was good,” Bird said. Bird said he’s definitely still sore from his ankle swelling.
“There’s still things that I feel, but we’ve been running on the anti-gravity treadmill. So, I’m close to running like full body weight I guess, but I haven’t ran without some support yet. But it’s been going good.”
His next hurdle will be running outside, and he hopes to get close to full baseball activity by next week.
“Give or take by the end of the week, I think I’ll be doing a lot more outside,” he said. “I’m thinking next week when the team leaves (for the road), I’ll probably go back down to Tampa.”
SONNY DAYS AHEAD?
Sonny Gray wants to become more athletic on the mound, which basically means less thinking and more throwing.
Gray said he made some adjustments when he came back from a 2016 elbow injury with Oakland that he needs to get correct. He’s pitched to a 6.92 ERA in his first three starts as a Yankee this year.
Gray said his changes are aimed at improving his command and getting ahead in the count. He will make his next start on Friday against Toronto.
“I think the goal is just to get back to simplifying everything from a windup standpoint, from a pitch selection standpoint, from a pitch location standpoint,” Gray said. “Just get out there, take the ball and just do rather than think.” . . . Brandon Drury (migraines, blurred vision) said he knows he’ll feel better and be ready to play when the pressure that builds up in his head and causes his blurred vision is gone.