Sheffield Joins Yankees In Bullpen Role
Sox Sit Betts As Precautionary Measure On Soggy Field
NEW YORK — Justus Sheffield still sees himself as a starter. The Yankees’ top prospect, however, will work out of the bullpen while he is here for the rest of the regular season.
Still, Sheffield was just happy to get the call to the big leagues. He arrived Tuesday and was available for the first game of the threegame set against the Red Sox at the Stadium.
“I would say no specific plan as far as a specific role we have in mind for him,” Aaron Boone said of the lefty. “He’s someone that potentially gives us a little bit of length, he’s not built up like he was as a starter for most of the season. He’s still a guy we feel can give us a couple innings if we needed it. The role could evolve if we needed it, if we want to see him at a spot against a specific hitter, a specific lefty or something like that.”
Sheffield was moved to the Triple A bullpen in early August to give him experience in anticipation of a September call-up.
“I didn’t know if I was going to come or not. It threw me off going to the bullpen. I figured maybe I can get up there in the bullpen,” Sheffield said. “I didn’t really want to give it too much thought. ... Got the call and I’m happy.”
The transition took some time for the 23-year-old to learn a routine that made him comfortable as a reliever. In 13 1⁄ innings
3 as a reliever, he allowed two earned runs and struck out 10. Most notably, Sheffield walked just one in five relief appearances.
Sheffield’s velocity was normal, sitting between 93-96 mph.
He said the bullpen role was a learning experience.
“I’ve seen some good things happen when I went to the bullpen. I’ve seen some things that ‘this is what I need to work on here.’ It’s been a bit of a learning experience. I think I am heading down the right track.”
If he is, Boone would not rule out a chance to make the playoff roster.
“Obviously these games are pretty important for us. We’ll see, you never know how the next couple of weeks unfold,” Boone said.
The Yankees also brought up righthander Domingo German.
Betts sits: Red Sox star Mookie Betts sat out Boston's series opener against the Yankees on Tuesday night after injuring his left side Sunday.
Boston manager Alex Cora says Betts was originally in his starting lineup before rain pushed Tuesday's game back six hours to a 7 p.m. first pitch. Cora scratched Betts out of caution because of the soggy conditions.
“With the weather, it doesn’t make any sense. Not even to DH him,” Cora said. “We’ll stay away from him and go from there.”
Betts came out of Sunday’s game against the Mets with tightness on his left side after making a throw in the sixth inning. The discomfort is in the same general area where Betts had an abdominal strain in May that landed him on the disabled list for 12 games.
Managing Judge’s time: Aaron Judge was back in the lineup for the first time in 48 games Tuesday night, but Boone wasn’t sure he’d be in there the rest of the regular season.
“We’ll see, watch it closely and see how he bounces back,” Boone said.
The plan for Sale: The Sox are planning to have Chris Sale make two more starts in the regular season with the idea of having him ready to go seven or eight innings in Game1of the Division Series on Oct. 5.
Cora said Sale would pitch against Cleveland on Saturday, with a goal of getting to 65 pitches. But the rotation also can and likely will change once the Sox clinch the division.
Right-handed reliever Matt Barnes, who last pitched on Sept. 3, said he is over the inflammation in his left hip and has thrown his bullpen sessions at full speed.
Chapman getting closer: Aroldis Chapman said he felt good after Monday’s simulated game and Boone said that the lefthanded closer could be activated as soon as Wednesday.
“Depending on whether we want to give him two days, since he threw the sim games every other day,” Boone said.
Chapman threw 22 pitches on Monday.