Yanks to get back Miller, Ellsbury
Reliever, outfielder expected to come off disabled list tonight.
The first-place Yankees are about to get a pair of important players back at once.
New York closer Andrew Miller and center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury are expected to come off the disabled list before tonight’s game against Oakland.
Miller has been sidelined since June 10 with a strained left forearm, while Ellsbury has been out since May 20 with a sprained right knee.
Miller and Ellsbury were each part of a 1-2 punch that helped fuel New York’s success early this season.
All-Star reliever Dellin Betances and Miller teamed up to provide a lock-down combination at the back of the bullpen, while Ellsbury (.412 on-base percentage and 14 stolen bases) and Brett Gardner gave the Yankees two dangerous speedsters at the top of the lineup.
“It’s going to be huge,” Alex Rodriguez said when asked about Ellsbury’s return. “I think having those guys at the top of the order 1-2, I mean, we saw it for a little while this year. They were pretty fun to watch.”
Miller (0-1, 1.03 ERA) will probably slide right back into the closer’s role, manager Joe Girardi said.
Giants: Outfielder Hunter Pence was activated from the disabled list and hit cleanup in Tuesday night’s game against the Mets. Pence missed the past 30 games with a tendon strain in his wrist after missing the first six weeks of the season with a fractured forearm. In the 18 games he played before returning to the DL, Pence hit .282 with two home runs and 18 RBIs.
Rays: Outfielder Steven Souza Jr. was put on the disabled list with a lacerated finger and utility man John Jaso (bruised left wrist) was reinstated from the DL. Souza is hitting .210 with a team-high 15 homers.
■ Right-hander Jake Odorizzi (strained left oblique) made his second rehab start Monday at Triple-A Charlotte, where he allowed two hits and a walk in 52/3 scoreless innings.
Phillies: Pitcher Sean O’Sullivan, who is winless in his past nine starts, going 0-4 with a 7.16 ERA since May 22, was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Athletics: Outfielder Jake Smolinski was called up from Triple-A Nashville, and right-hander Chris Bassitt was optioned to Nashville.
Twins: Left-handed reliever Aaron Thompson was optioned to Triple-A Rochester. He was replaced on the roster by 27-year-old lefty Ryan O’Rourke, who has yet to pitch in the majors.
Rockies: Right-hander Gonzalez Germen was claimed off waivers from the Cubs and assigned to Triple-A Albuquerque.
Brewers: A woman hit in the head by a foul ball during Monday night’s game against the Braves at Miller Park is hospitalized in satisfactory condition.