When the Yankees shifted Justus Sheffield from the rotation to the bullpen on Aug. 21 at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, the move was made with the possibility of the 22-year-old lefty helping out of the big league bullpen when rosters expand on Sept. 1.
Manager Aaron Boone, however, didn’t expect the organization’s top pitching prospect to join the Yankees for Saturday afternoon’s game against the Tigers at Yankee Stadium and hinted Sheffield’s situation depended on whether general manager Brian Cashman could make a deal for a pitcher before Friday night’s trade deadline at midnight.
“We will see how today flushes out with potential waiver wires stuff,’’ Boone said before Friday’s 7-5 win over the Tigers. “I wouldn’t say I would expect him tomorrow. I would say he continues to be in the conversation on the short-term, but I don’t think we will see him tomorrow.’’
Because the Yankees moved Sheffield to the bullpen after 20 starts in which he went 6-6 with a 2.53 ERA in 113 ²/₃ innings and fanned 119, they have provided the lefty with plenty of rest between outings and that could play a part in when he makes it to the majors, if he does.
Following a two-inning stint on Aug. 21, Sheffield’s next outing was on Aug. 25 for two more innings. On Aug. 30, he threw one inning.
The acquisition of Andrew McCutchen won’t seriously cut into Brett Gardner’s playing time, according to Boone.
“Gardy is still going to play a ton, but it allows us have a premium player to give guys a [rest],” Boone said. “I don’t think it affects our every-day guys that much.”
Gardner hit leadoff against Tigers right-hander Jordan Zimmermann on Friday and went 2-for-4 with a double and a homer. Entering the game, Gardner had played in 29 August games and was hitting .198 (22-for-111) with a .276 on-base percentage and a .592 OPS.
Greg Bird started three of the past four games against a right-hander, but Boone went with the right-handed hitting Luke Voit against Zimmermann. Voit was 0-for-3 with a run scored Friday.
Didi Gregorius took ground balls at short Friday afternoon, and if you didn’t know he was on the disabled list with a bruised left heel, he would have looked completely healthy. Gregorius moved around without a limp, fielded grounders on the infield grass and dirt and worked on turning double plays with Ronald Torreyes at second.
It’s possible Gregorius, who has been out since Aug. 19 when he collided with Blue Jays first baseman Kendrys Morales, could be activated Monday for the start of a critical three-game series at Oakland.
Boone was blunt when asked how the acquisition of McCutchen would impact Neil Walker’s playing time.
“He will play less right field, but Neil will still be part of the mix,’’ Boone said of the switch-hitter, who has appeared in 32 games at first base, 23 at second, 11 at third and 11 in right, and was batting .226 with nine homers and 38 RBIs going into Friday night’s game. Walker was in the lineup in right field where McCutchen is expected to take over when he arrives Saturday.
“Neil can play a lot of different places and allows us to have a really good player there and rest our guys,’’ Boone said of Walker. “I still view him in that role of playing a lot.’’