SAN FRANCISCO — Cody Poteet had two hits in two at-bats in a spot start.
The Yankees may need to keep it going for at least a few more weeks.
Promoted from Triple-A to replace the injured Clark Schmidt, Poteet pitched five strong innings in the Yankees’ 7-3 win over the Giants on Saturday night at Oracle Park.
Poteet limited the Giants to three runs (two earned) on three hits, one walk and six strikeouts.
“Sadly [Schmidt] “He’s a great pitcher and things are going well right now, as is the rest of our staff,” Poteat said, “but we’re not thinking too far ahead. We’re just taking it one day at a time, getting better every day and enjoying being around a lot of great players.”
Poteet was placed on the disabled list after the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre game with a blister, which he said had recurred “a little bit” on Saturday, but the right-hander didn’t seem concerned.
“It’s nothing to be worried about,” he said. “I’ve been dealing with it for a little while. It’s normal. I’ve dealt with it in the past, so I’ll be OK.”
The Yankees will likely rely on Poteet, who pitched a strong six innings against the Guardians in April, until Gerrit Cole is due to return from the disabled list at the end of the month.
“I thought overall he pitched with a lot of confidence and he was aggressive,” manager Aaron Boone said. “I thought he did a good job with his four-seam and two-seam fastball. He gave us what we needed.”
DJ LeMahieu entered Saturday having only two hits through his first three games of the season.
But there are positives in just about every other area for the veteran Yankees infielder, who missed the first two months of the season with a dislocated fracture in his foot.
“I’m really excited about how he’s doing,” Boone said before LeMahieu went 1-for-4 in a 7-3 win over the Giants on Saturday. “I thought he had good at-bats every day. Watching him run the line and moving, I thought he was moving well. I’m really happy with where he’s at physically.”
In his first game back on Tuesday, LeMahieu hit three pitches but didn’t get anywhere.
He then got his first hit on Wednesday, a grounder off Anthony Rizzo as he was running to third base (which Rizzo may have hit intentionally to prevent a double play), and then got a more real hit on Thursday, a hard grounder to right field that was the key to a five-run comeback.
Even more impressive were the three walks he drew on the ninth, eighth and ninth pitches, respectively, which looked like the kind of professional, tough at-bats LeMahieu always displays when healthy.
Boone used LeMahieu as the third baseman in the first two games, replaced Rizzo at first base on Thursday and then rested him on Friday as he continued to increase his workload.
Sunday marks the 20th and final day of Jason Dominguez’s rehabilitation stint.
But barring a surprise, this won’t be his final day in the minor leagues.
Dominguez appeared in his 13th rehab game Saturday, including his ninth with Double-A Somerset, but only took the field in two of those games as he continues his return from Tommy John surgery.
The 21-year-old outfielder just started working with the defense on Wednesday and is expected to continue to play a role in the defense after his rehab period ends and the Yankees demote him to the minor leagues.
Plus, of course, there’s no path for him to play regularly for the Yankees at this point.
That being said, his rehab mission is going well so far.
Dominguez He hit his fourth home run in his last six games on Saturday..
“I think it’s going really well,” Boone said Saturday. “It’s really consistent with his whole rehab process. It’s going smoothly with no major issues along the way. He’s in great shape. He’s preparing well.”
The Yankees sent Omar Minaya, a senior adviser to general manager Brian Cashman, to Somerset in recent days to spend time with Dominguez before reporting to Boone on Saturday morning.
“[Dominguez] “He’s in a really good mental place, he’s playing well and he’s excited about his progress,” Boone said.
Gerrit Cole (elbow neuritis) is expected to begin a rehab assignment Tuesday, but the Yankees have not yet made a decision on that or which affiliate he will pitch for.
Nick Vardy (right hip arthritis) recently underwent a PRP injection and is currently undergoing rehabilitation.
Scott Efros (Tommy John surgery/back surgery) has picked up steam with bullpen sessions over the past month and is nearing his rehab assignment.
However, fellow relief pitcher Lou Trivino (UCL surgery) has yet to resume pitching since being rested in early May because of elbow inflammation.
The Yankees returned relief pitcher Cody Morris to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to make room on the roster for Poteet, who was called up to start Saturday in place of the injured Clarke Schmidt.
Morris was acquired from the Guardians in the offseason in a trade for Estevan Florial and has played twice for the Yankees this season but has not pitched either time.
After hitting a double off left-hander Taylor Rogers on Friday night — his first extra-base hit since May 12 and his first off the left-hander this season — Rizzo scored from second base on a passed ball to earn bragging rights.
Gleyber Torres was on third base and was ready to score, but catcher Patrick Bailey’s throw to Rogers at home plate was deflected off, allowing Rizzo to continue running down third base and score.
“That’s awesome,” Rizzo said. “That’s definitely something I want my guys to hear all year.”
