BREAKING: The New York Yankees has made shocking roster moves
The New York Yankees designated left-handed pitcher Victor Gonzalez for assignment, one of several roster moves announced Friday.
In addition, the Yankees added right-hander Phil Bickford to their 40-man roster. They also brought up right-hander Yeondrys Gomez from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
The Yankees optioned Ron Marinaccio following Thursday night’s loss to the Baltimore Orioles, as previously reported.
Prior to tonight’s game, the Yankees made the following roster moves:
• Signed RHP Phil Bickford (#53) to a Major League contract and selected him to the active roster.
• Designated LHP Victor González for assignment.
• Recalled RHP Yoendrys Gómez (#94) from Triple-A…— Yankees PR Dept. (@YankeesPR) June 21, 2024
Gonzalez, 28, has a 3.68 ERA in 27 games and 23.1 innings thrown for the Yankees this season. He had 11 strikeouts and 13 walks.
Bickford has featured in 22 Triple-A games this season with the Railriders. He has a 2-2 record over 27.2 innings pitched, a 2.93 ERA, 35 strikeouts, and 12 walks.
Gomez, 24, has a 3.13 ERA in 46 innings pitched in Triple-A, with 54 strikeouts and 26 walks.
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The Yankees cut González, demote Marinaccio, and promote Bickford and Gómez in bullpen refurbishment
After losing consecutive series to AL East rivals Boston and Baltimore, the Yankees rearranged their bullpen, promoting right-handers Phil Bickford and Yoendrys Gómez, releasing left-hander Victor González, and demoting right-hander Ron Marinaccio.
New York’s bullpen pitched 7 2/3 innings in Thursday’s 17-5 loss to the Orioles and six innings in Wednesday’s 7-6 loss. The Yankees’ pitching staff entered Friday’s series opener against Atlanta with a 4.59 ERA in June, up from a major league-best 2.37 in May.
“A major factor was the numbers game. “Obviously, we’ve relied heavily on the bullpen the last two days, so we needed some coverage down there,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “And talk about certain things to shake up and pay attention.”
Gleyber Torres, second baseman, was out of the starting lineup after departing Thursday’s game with right groin soreness. Boone stated that an MRI was negative, and Torres will most likely be available over the weekend.
González was acquired by the New York Mets in December from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for second base prospect Jorbit Vivas and shortstop Trey Sweeney, the 20th overall pick in the 2021 amateur draft. González, 28, had a 3.68 ERA in 27 bullpen appearances, giving up 13 hits in 23 1/3 innings while walking 13 and striking out 11.
The Yankees designated him for assignment after allowing five runs (four earned), three hits, and two walks in his last three starts.
“That was difficult because I’d really appreciated Vic. I respect him. “He’s had some success in the league,” Boone stated. “Hard getting him into a good role here, but definitely had some struggles with the strike throwing and not putting guys away a little bit and just felt like this was something over the long haul that we’re probably going to have to address.”
Marinaccio, 28, was promoted from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on April 13, demoted on May 10, then recalled on June 9. He allowed five runs, four of them earned, seven hits, and four walks in six and a third innings.
Boone said Marinaccio handled the demotion “like a pro, but he’s not thrilled about it, obviously.”
Bickford, 28, was dismissed by the New York Mets in the final week of spring training and was paid $217,742 in termination money rather than the $900,000 salary he received as part of a non-guaranteed deal in salary arbitration. He signed a minor league contract with the Yankees and went 2-2 with a 2.94 ERA in 22 relief appearances for Scranton, striking out 35 and walking 12 over 27 2/3 innings.
His contract with the Yankees calls for a $1.1 million salary in the majors and $180,000 in the minors.
“Tough on the right guy,” Boone added. “He’ll give you some length.”
Gómez, 24, went 2-3 with a 3.12 ERA in 12 starts for the RailRiders, striking out 54 and walking 26 over 46 innings. He made his major league debut in September and has appeared in one game this season, striking out the side in the ninth inning of an 8-0 victory over San Diego on May 24.
“The couple opportunities he has gotten up here, he’s done a nice job,.” Boone stated. “He has a lot of talent. He’s still inexperienced and has had some injuries in his brief career.
