Pittsburgh – Another newcomer to the Yankees is facing back troubles.
Cody Bellinger was removed from the Yankees’ roster against the Pirates on Friday due to a stiff back that he felt during Thursday’s game.
“It’s not something I want to jeopardize,” manager Aaron Boone stated on Friday afternoon before their 9-4 win at PNC Park. “I don’t believe it’s too serious.”
The outfielder reported feeling “a bit” improved after Thursday’s win over the Diamondbacks, Boone noted, but after traveling and arriving at the team hotel around 2:30 a.m. on Friday, the Yankees opted for caution.
Bellinger also mentioned feeling “a bit better” on Friday morning, with Boone hoping he could be available off the bench, even though the Yankees did not require his presence.
“We thought, ‘Let’s take a day to let it settle down,'” Boone said.
Paul Goldschmidt, who joined Bellinger as a key addition to the Yankees roster this season, also struggled with back troubles late in spring training, but after resting for a few days, he has not faced any issues since.
Bellinger was sidelined, leading to Trent Grisham stepping in to center field for his second consecutive game.
A recurring issue has sidelined Scott Effros once again.
The reliever stepped back while rehabilitating his hamstring strain and was put in a holding pattern regarding the Yankees’ decision.
Effros first sustained the hamstring injury on his opening pitch during the Grapefruit League match on February 25th.
He felt improvements during camp after a challenging recovery from Tommy John and Buck surgeries, but he is now back in the trainer’s room.
Adam Ottavino’s brief comeback with the Yankees was cut short, as the team designated the veteran reliever for assignment on Friday, making room for Devin Williams to return from the family medical leave list.
Ottavino signed with the Yankees on Tuesday (when Williams was on the family leave list) and recorded two scoreless outings over 1¹/₃ innings in the series against the Diamondbacks.
He allowed two walks and hit two batters.
The 39-year-old is back in limbo, having previously signed a minor league contract with the Red Sox without securing a spot on a team.
Meanwhile, Williams pitched in the ninth inning on Friday.
The Yankees signed utility player Cooper Hummel on Friday, issuing a minor league contract.
The 30-year-old switch hitter, who plays catcher, left field, and first base, managed a .159 batting average with a .531 OPS in 82 major league games.
He performed better in 330 games in Triple-A, registering a .285 average with a .900 OPS.
Tyler Matzek (Axis Co.) is facing hitters in Tampa, and his next appearance could mark the start of a rehabilitation assignment with Single A Tampa.
The left-handed reliever is anticipated to be ready by the end of the month.
Boone indicated Lewis Gill (Rat Co.) is about a week or 10 days from potentially throwing in a catch.
Boone also mentioned that Jake Cousins (forearm strain) has been less than a week away from his next mound session.
