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The Yankees’ latest pandemic outbreak has left them bewildered and frustrated.
They also jostle each other.
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With three players already on the COVID injured list and three more likely to join them on Friday, including All-Star right fielder Aaron Judge and starting third baseman Gio Urshela, opportunities present themselves for the thriving minor leagues who are not considered the best prospects.
Outfielder Trey Amburgey got his first call-up Thursday and infielder / fielder Hoy Park could become a big leaguer for the first time on Friday if the Yankees-Red Sox series at Yankee Stadium is not further delayed.
Park was a late scratch from the Scranton / Wilkes-Barre roster for Thursday night’s Triple-A East game shortly after ESPN reported that judge, Urshela and wide receiver Kyle Higashioka had repeatedly tested positive on rapid COVID tests.
Journeyman wide receiver Rob Brantly was also struck from the RailRiders’ starting lineup and is expected to be recalled on Friday to replace Higashioka.
The Yankees’ other roster change on Friday could activate pitcher Michael King on the injured list.
Amburgey and / or Park’s stay could be short thanks to outfielder Miguel Andujar becoming eligible to drop off the injured list on Saturday and due to a sprained left wrist this weekend or early next week.
King was eligible for the first time to return from a contusion to his right middle finger on Thursday after a backdated stint. The right-hander was feeling great heading into last Sunday’s game in Houston and planned to pitch two relievers’ pens during the all-star break.
On Thursday, the Yankees called Amburgey and activated IL reliever Zack Britton to counter two lefties going on COVID IL, Nestor Cortes and Wandy Peralta.
That breakout began last Saturday when reliever Jonathan Loaisiga went on COVID IL the morning after pitching a scoreless ninth inning to close Friday night’s 4-0 win in Houston. The right-hander is still in quarantine in Houston.
In May, the Yankees experienced a COVID breakout that resulted in the quarantine of shortstop Gleyber Torres, three coaches and five staff due to positive tests, one that resulted in no postponement of games . Manager Aaron Boone said on Thursday that the Yankees found Torres’ absence for seven games was due to false-positive tests.
The Yankees might have some tough decisions to make when calling Park and Brantly because their 40-man roster doesn’t have any vacancies.
It’s possible the Yankees could transfer injured reliever Darren O’Day to the 60-day IL to free up a spot. O’Day suffered hamstring strain on July 6, which could end the season.
Additionally, the Yankees could choose to open a 40-man position by nominating first baseman Chris Gittens for assignment. The right-hander has had impressive triple A numbers this season – hitting 0.359 with seven homers and 23 RBIs in 24 games – but only hit 0.095 with a 10-game homer for the Yankees in his first big game. . -league convocation, which took place from June 5 to 21.
Amburgey, 26, could see his first big-league action if the Yankees play Friday night and Boston fends off left-handed starter Eduardo Rodriguez, who was scheduled to pitch Thursday night.
A right-handed hitter, Amburgey has a history of left-handed pitching feast and this season is averaging 0.429 in 49 batting appearances against lefties. The 13th-round pick in 2015 reached 0.312 overall this season with seven home runs and 35 RBIs in 38 AAA games.
Park, 25, is a patient left-handed hitter who is enjoying a year of career that took off after his May 18 promotion to Triple-A. The South Korean started the year with a 0.194 strike in 10 games for Double-A Somerset, then hit 0.325 with eight homers, 25 RBIs and 41 walks in 44 games for Scranton.
Park is a natural shortstop who has played a lot of second baseman and a little bit of third in his career. Most recently, he started playing outfield, making four starts to the center and one to the left.
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