Ailing hammy may land Austin on DL
CHICAGO — Tyler Austin was promoted from Triple-A Scranton/WilkesBarre on Saturday and there is a chance he is headed back to the disabled list before spending a week in the big leagues.
Austin, a right-handed hitting first baseman, wasn’t in the lineup for the Yankees’ 12-3 win over the White Sox because of a right hamstring injury. He started the season on the 60-day DL with a fractured left ankle.
Talking about how he planned to use Miguel Andujar, who was called up from Triple-A Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday and went 3-for-4 with four RBIs, Joe Girardi offered there is worry about Austin’s hamstring.
“Tyler Austin’s hammy is not where we want it. That’s a concern so we have to make a decision there,’’ said Girardi, who used Austin as the DH Tuesday night.
Girardi said “it’s possible’’ when asked about Austin having tests done and him landing on the DL.
Austin Romine, the backup catcher, started at first base for the second straight game, going 1-for-2, drawing three walks and scoring two runs.
Dustin Fowler was scratched from SWB’s game Wednesday night in Syracuse, fueling speculation the left-handed hitting outfielder could join the Yankees for Thursday night’s game against the White Sox, who will start James Shields.
Fowler, 22, is hitting .293 (87-for-297) with 13 homers, 43 RBIs, a .871 OPS and 13 steals in 18 attempts.
Fowler could replace Austin, Rob Refsnyder or Andujar, who made his major league debut Wednesday night.
According to Girardi, Greg Bird was supposed to start playing minor league games Thursday, but that plan is seemingly in limbo.
“Still trying to get him on the field. Originally the plan was on Thursday but I am not sure where we are on that,’’ Girardi said. “We are trying to get him on the field. He is working out right now.’’
Bird went on the DL May 2 after fouling a ball off his right ankle late in spring training. In 19 games, Bird hit .100 (6for-60) with a homer and three RBIs. He started a rehab stint on June 1 at Single-A Tampa and was moved to SWB on June 8. He stopped playing June 13 and received a cortisone shot June 20. In 12 minor league games Bird batted .237 (9-for-38) without a homer and four RBIs.
The Yankees and Chris Carter may not be done with each other.
Five days after designating the first baseman for assignment the Yankees out-righted Carter to SWB and he accepted the assignment.
Since Carter has five-plus years of service time and his one-year deal for $3.5 million was guaranteed he didn’t have to accept the move to SWB in order to get paid.
Adam Warren threw 20 pitches in the bullpen Wednesday and reported his right shoulder felt good and planned to repeat the act in a couple of days.
When the right-hander went on the DL with shoulder inflammation June 16 the initial plan didn’t include a minor league rehab outing. However, that could change.