By hook or by rook’
Gleyber's return spells likely end for another young IF
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Yankees are ready to welcome Gleyber Torres back from the disabled list Wednesday, when they face Rays right-hander Nathan Eovaldi.
Without disparaging replacements Neil Walker, Tyler Wade and Brandon Drury, Aaron Boone is looking forward to having the chance to write the All-Star second baseman’s name on a lineup card.
“We have missed him — obviously he is a guy who has burst onto the scene not only in New York but around the country,” Boone said before Torres went 2-for-4 with a double for Single-A Tampa on Monday in a minor league game 20 minutes from Tropicana Field, where the Yankees lost to the Rays, 7-6. Torres also made two fielding errors.
“I am really excited to get him back and all that he brings in different spots in the order, more down in the order with so many big hits,” Boone continued. “Just what he brings instinctually to our defense, I am looking forward to getting him back.”
The Yankees have gone 7-7 since Torres went on the DL on July 5 with a right hip problem. He went 1-for-3 for Tampa on Saturday and had a scheduled day off Sunday.
The plan is for him to DH on Tuesday to see how the hip responds to back-to-back games and be activated Wednesday.
To make room for Torres, who is hitting .294 with 15 homers and 42 RBIs and an OPS of .905 in 63 games, the Yankees will likely drop an infielder. That decision will likely result in Drury or Wade being sent to Triple-A Scranton/WilkesBarre.
Joe McIlvaine, a senior adviser in the Orioles’ player personnel department, was spotted at the Yankees’ Double-A affiliate Trenton on Monday when the Thunder hosted Hartford.
With the Orioles shopping lefty reliever Zach Britton and likely listening on starters Kyle Gaus
man and Dylan Bundy, the Yankees could have an interest in any of the three. McIlvaine could also have been on hand to watch Hartford, the Rockies’ Double-A club. The Rockies started Monday night’s action two games back of the NL West-leading Dodgers.
Yankees scout Jay Darnell, who the Yankees lean on heavily for evaluating pitchers, attended the A’s-Rangers game in Arling- ton, Texas on Monday night when Cole Hamels started for the Rangers. Hamels was pounded, giving up nine hits, seven runs — all earned — and two home runs in a 15-3 loss.
Clint Frazier has been added to the big-league DL after being examined by Connecticut neurologist Anthony Alessi on Monday, when it was discovered the outfielder is suffering from postconcussion migraines. Monday’s tests included an MRI exam.
Aroldis Chapman threw on flat ground in left field before Monday night’s game and was loosening up in the bullpen during the ninth inning. Chapman was coming off a horrendous three-run, three-walk, one-hitbatter and one-hit ninth inning Saturday against the Mets. Utility infielder Ronald Torreyes has returned from Venezuela, where he dealt with a family issue.