Yank shocker: Drury demoted
BALTIMORE — So much for the idea of Brandon Drury sticking with the Yankees for the rest of the season upon his recent promotion from Triple-A Scranton.
In an eyebrow-raising move, Drury was optioned back down to the RailRiders to make room for Luis Cessa, the team’s starter for Game 2 of Monday’s doubleheader against the Orioles.
The 25-year-old went 0for-4 with a strikeout in the team’s Game 1 loss to Baltimore.
“Another one of those awful decisions,” Aaron Boone said. “We just feel like (Aaron) Hicks is good. We just feel like (Clint) Frazier covers us in the outfield and (Tyler) Wade gives us flexibility especially when we get back to a three-man bench when we bring back (Masahiro) Tanaka tomorrow and Wade’s a backup shortstop too, so he gives us some protection there with Didi.”
Boone was asked how Drury, who had dealt with migraines and blurred vision, reacted to the news. “I’m sure devastated. It’s terrible news to have to give a guy that I would (say) is a big leaguer and doesn’t belong there. But it’s unfortunately the situation right now so all we can do is encourage him to make the absolute best out of the situation,” Boone said. “He’s done a good job of that all year, of remaining focused until he gets another opportunity again.”
INJURY HAUNTS AROLDIS
Aroldis Chapman may have to deal with tendinitis in his left knee for the rest of the season, Boone said.
Chapman has been pitching with it since early May. The manager planned on having his flame-throwing closer available for Monday’s doubleheader against the Orioles.
Boone said there has been no talk of a 10-day stint on the disabled list for Chapman to possibly get better.
“I don’t want to speculate on it too much, but it may be something where 10 days or a couple weeks probably don’t even do the trick,” Boone said. “This is something that maybe you address in the offseason, and I’m probably speculating too much on that. If it’s what I’ve dealt with similarly, it’s just dealing with some painful things when you have certain movements.”
Chapman, 30, came out of Saturday’s game for precautionary reasons after striking out the only batter he faced. Boone thinks he could’ve pitched through it if it were later in the season, but the team wanted to be careful with him.
INJURY UPDATES
Gleyber Torres (hip) could potentially begin rehab games during the All-Star break.
Gary Sanchez (groin) is slated to take BP today. The hope remains that Sanchez can return after the All-Star break.