Yankees ship Cessa, Wilson to Cincinnati
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Yankees’ bullpen shake-up continued following Tuesday’s 4-3 win over the Rays, as they sent left-hander Justin Wilson and right-hander Luis Cessa to the Reds in exchange for a player to be named later.
The move frees up money in advance of Friday’s trade deadline. Wilson is making $2.85 million this season and Cessa $1.05 million, according to Spotrac.com.
The Yankees were less than $1 million under the $210 million luxury tax threshold, so this would allow them to add payroll elsewhere and still remain under the threshold. The trade also frees up two spots on the 40man roster.
It came a day after the Yankees traded a pair of minor leaguers for Pittsburgh righthander Clay Holmes, who is making $685,000.
Wilson struggled in his second stint with the Yankees after signing with them in the offseason. He allowed five homers in just 18 innings and had a 7.50 ERA. Cessa, though, is in the midst of his best season in the majors and provided valuable innings this year.
Now, a taxed bullpen has even more question marks — although there are undoubtedly more moves to come soon.
➤ Clint Frazier spent Monday and Tuesday undergoing a battery of neurological tests, as the Yankees try to determine what’s wrong with the left fielder, who has been on the injured list since July 2.
Manager Aaron Boone said the team hopes to know more Wednesday. Boone added the issue “doesn’t seem to be” related to the concussion symptoms that have plagued Frazier in the past.
When Frazier first went on the IL, the Yankees said it was due to vertigo, which has since been ruled out. A vision issue still hasn’t been ruled out, according to Boone.
Estevan Florial, who showed flashes of good play, was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday.
➤ Clay Holmes was available out of the bullpen, but did not pitch. The right-hander was acquired Monday in a trade with the Pirates, in exchange for minor league infielders Hoy Jun Park and Diego Castillo.
“We’re excited to get him. We feel he already is very tough on righties and feel he has the stuff to go to another place,” Boone said of the 28-year-old.
“He’s a lot better than his ERA [4.93] would suggest,’’ Boone said of Holmes. “He has a really good arm and gives us a really interesting look.”
Boone called Holmes a “righty assassin” and said they “feel there’s room in there for him to grow into a really good reliever in this game.’’
Among the reasons the Yankees felt the need to get bullpen help is the absence of righthander Michael King, who has been out with a middle-finger contusion suffered while lifting weights, and was transferred to the 60-day IL.
Right-hander Albert Abreu was optioned to Triple-A.
➤ Kyle Higashioka returned off the COVID-19 IL Tuesday and will likely catch Gerrit Cole on Thursday. Wednesday’s scheduled starter, Nestor Cortes Jr., said he thought he could throw 50-60 pitches in what will be his second appearance, and first start, since coming back from the COVID-19 IL.
➤ Luis Severino threw another bullpen session Tuesday, with the Yankees still weighing his next step. Severino could throw another live batting practice or begin a rehab assignment in the minors.