The Yankees will have a new catcher and bullpen pitchers when they open their series at Detroit on Friday.
During the offseason on Thursday, the Yankees activated catcher Jose Trevino from a rehab assignment and then activated him off the 10-day disabled list.
Carlos Narvaez was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Trevino had been out for more than a month with a left quad injury, which he suffered while he and Austin Wells were sharing catching duties.
Trevino will return primarily as a backup, but manager Aaron Boone said last week that Wells, who has emerged as the team’s cleanup hitter, “will probably get a lot of playing time.”
Before his injury on July 12, Trevino was batting with a .713 OPS and had earned a reputation as a defensively sound catcher.
Wells boasts a .773 OPS and continues to perform well against major league pitchers.
One of the two will be bringing in a new pitcher, as Will Warren was optioned down after a spot start Wednesday, leaving an opening in a disappointing bullpen.
The Yankees have a number of rehabbing pitchers in the minor leagues, with Scott Efros and Nick Burdy the two closest to being called up.
Efros, who underwent Tommy John surgery in 2022 and back surgery last December, has been trying to prove himself worthy of a promotion since June 19 by working his way through the minor leagues.
The right-hander’s production has improved recently, allowing just four hits and one run with seven strikeouts in his past eight innings with SWB.
“I think his pitching is definitely improving, so that’s encouraging,” Boone said Monday. “I feel like we’ve got a couple more guys on the table to have some good options. So yeah, Scottie’s had a good run of games here, so he’s definitely on the table and we’re taking him into consideration.”
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Vardy, who has been out since May 23 with right hip inflammation, is also a candidate. The powerful right-hander struck out seven batters and allowed no runs in 5 2/3 innings.
Lou Trivino (Tommy John surgery) and Ian Hamilton (strained right latissimus dorsi) are a little further behind.
In Detroit, the Yankees will reportedly get a closer look at one of their former top prospects.
According to ESPN, Trey Sweeney, the Yankees’ first-round draft pick in 2021, is set to make his debut with the Tigers.
Sweeney was traded to the Dodgers last offseason in exchange for Victor Gonzalez and Jorbit Vivas.
Los Angeles dealt the shortstop to the Tigers at the trade deadline in an exchange that sent Jack Flaherty to the Dodgers.
MLB has announced its 2025 spring training schedule, which includes 33 games for the Yankees (16 at home, 17 on the road).
The Yankees’ Grapefruit League season begins Feb. 21 against the Rays and ends March 24 against the Mets in Port St. Lucie.
—Additional reporting by Greg Joyce
