PHILADELPHIA — The Yankees made some bullpen changes ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline, sending left-hander Caleb Ferguson to the Astros and acquiring right-hander Eniel de los Santos from San Diego.
Ferguson was acquired from the Dodgers in the offseason and sent to Houston in exchange for minor leaguers and international bonus pool money.
The 28-year-old struggled in his short tenure in the Bronx, posting a 1.500 WHIP in 33 1/3 innings and allowing just five home runs.
“He never got into a good position to have an advantage,” manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday.
They have already sent Victor Gonzalez, another left-handed pitcher they acquired from the Dodgers in the offseason, to the minor leagues.
The Yankees had hoped that one or two of their Dodgers acquisitions could step in to replace Wandy Peralta, who signed with the Padres in the offseason to bring left-handed balance to the bullpen.
Tim Hill, the only left-handed pitcher remaining in the relief corps, has pitched well since being acquired from the White Sox.
The 28-year-old De Los Santos adds another experienced pitcher to the Yankees’ relief corps and has pitched well over the past two-plus seasons, first with Cleveland and then with San Diego.
Boone is hopeful that De Los Santos will add depth to the team.
Like Mark Leiter Jr., who was acquired in a trade with the Cubs on Tuesday, de los Santos has a high strikeout rate, something the Yankees have lacked most in their relief corps this season.
This season, De Los Santos has a 1.289 WHIP in 40¹/₃ innings. Single-A right-hander Thomas Balboni, 24, also joined the Yankees from San Diego.
In exchange, the Yankees traded Triple-A outfielder Brandon Lockridge to the Padres. The 27-year-old Lockridge, a fifth-round pick by the Yankees in 2018, posted a .787 OPS with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season.
Even though the trade deadline has passed, the Yankees could still add other pitchers to the mix. Right-hander Scott Efros is pitching at SWB after recovering from 2022 Tommy John surgery and December back surgery, Nick Burdy is still on a rehab assignment at SWB after a hip injury, and Ian Hamilton remains on the disabled list with a lat strain.
To make room on the roster for Leiter, Yoendris Gomez was demoted to Triple-A.
Clay Holmes pitched a 7-6 12-inning win over the Phillies on Tuesday, but was once again hit by a weakly hit ball and missed out on the save.
But Boone said his closer hasn’t struggled, pointing to the two infield hits and grounder that plagued Holmes in the ninth inning.
“He threw a great ball,” Boone said. “I know he’s not popular. [opinion]”That’s just bad luck. They found an opening. That happens a lot. I think he’s in a really good spot.”
“He’s our closer. We want him in every situation,” Aaron Judge said of Holmes.
Trent Grisham saved the game with a diving catch in center field of an Alec Bohm liner at the end of the 11th inning.
Former infielder Brett Phillips, who played seven seasons in the major leagues and most recently played for the Angels last year, has signed a minor league contract with the Yankees, according to Washington Post reporter Jon Heyman.
The right-hander pitched for a semi-pro team and had a fastball speed of 97 mph.
