Boone Brothers Set for Matchup in the Bronx

Earlier this month, the Rangers brought Brett Boone on board as a hitting coach, prompting Aaron Boone to quickly check the Yankees’ schedule.

As luck would have it, the Boon Bowl is happening soon enough.

The Rangers are set to visit the Bronx on Tuesday, marking the first time Brett and Aaron will face off since 2005, when Brett’s Mariners triumphed over Aaron’s Indians at Safeco Field.

“It’ll be exciting,” Aaron Boone shared over the weekend. “I’m really looking forward to it. I haven’t had many chances to see him this year, which is a bit unusual. It’s nice that he’s back in the dugout.”

Since hanging up his cleats in 2008, Brett has worked as a roving instructor and scout for track and field from 2014 to 2015, but was mostly away from baseball. He also hosted a baseball-focused podcast. The Rangers made a change on May 5th, letting go of offensive coordinator Donnie Ecker and bringing in Brett.

Aaron mentioned that he stays in touch with his older brother—Brett is 56, while Aaron is 52—as he adjusts to his new role.

In addition to the Boone family, the series will have a few additional Boone connections. One of Brett’s sons works in Manhattan for MLB, while the other is visiting for the games.

Meanwhile, Tyler Matzek hit free agency on Monday after opting not to continue in the minors following his designation by the Yankees on Friday. Matzek had showed promise as a potential steal for the Yankees during spring training, but an oblique injury hindered his performance after his return, leaving him struggling in limited action.

On another note, Ryan Yarborough is set to rejoin the Yankees’ rotation on Wednesday. He skipped the weekend start, allowing Clark Schmidt and Max Fried to pitch against the Mets with normal rest.

Will Warren, Tuesday’s starter, has already pitched after an extra day off and is ready to go again, while Yarborough’s return means the entire Yankees rotation will have some extra breathing room going forward.

“We can choose how to line things up, and right now it makes sense,” Boone explained on Sunday. “Yab has been solid for us, and having him in the bullpen lately gives us a safety net.”

“It’s important not to develop bad habits throughout the long season. I often appreciate the extra day, especially when we stack up games that call for a fifth-day starter.”