This past weekend was bad for the health of the Yankees’ bullpen, which already lost Chad Green and Michael King to arm surgeries that ended their seasons.
Right-handed pitcher Albert Abreu had another bad start in Saturday’s 5-2 loss to the Blue Jays. He was put on the 15-day injured list on Sunday and replaced by veteran right-handed pitcher Luke Bard, who was called up from Triple-A after being picked up on waivers in early August.
After the Yankees beat the Blue Jays 4-2 on Sunday, manager Aaron Boone explained why Lou Trivino was left in to get the last seven outs instead of Scott Effross pitching the ninth. Effross is a right-handed pitcher who was traded to the Yankees in early August. He is also having trouble with his arm.
Here are the latest news about Effross, the 11 Yankees who are on the injured list, and Josh Donaldson, who was sick over the weekend.
GIANCARLO STANTON
Injury: Tendonitis in the left Achilles
The 10-day injured list has been moved back to July 24
Games missed: 26
Latest: Stanton is over his injury and played two rehab games with the Double-A Somerset Patriots in Bowie, Md., last weekend. Everything went well except Stanton’s batting. He went 0-for-4 and struck out on Sunday, giving him no hits in seven at-bats over two games. Could the Yankees send Stanton back to rehab next week? Sure, but that’s unlikely because they’re headed to the West Coast this week and Stanton will travel with them if he’s healthy. Next, Stanton will face rehabbing pitcher Luis Severino in a live BP session at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday. If Stanton’s Achilles is fine, he’ll come off the IL on Thursday and play in Oakland that night.
ALBERT ABREU
Injury: Inflammation in the right elbow
Since August 21, he has been on the 15-day injured list
Games missed: 1
Latest: Abreu was added to the Yankees’ injured list out of the blue. His time on the IL started the morning after he gave up a solo home run in a one-inning start, which brought his August ERA up to 7.88 in seven games. No one knew right away how long Abreu would be out.
HARRISON BADER
Injury: Tendonitis in the left Achilles
Has been out for 10 days since June 27
Games missed: 44
Latest: Bader was in a walking boot when the Yankees traded for him on August 2, and he’s still getting out of it three weeks later. He hopes to be back playing baseball soon and off the IL within a couple weeks.
ZACK BRITTON
Injury: Tommy John surgery is on Sept. 8, 2021
Status: On 60-day injured list since March 13
Games missed: 122
Latest: Britton threw 21 pitches to minor leaguers on Saturday in Tampa. It was the second time he had done so. He is almost ready to start a rehab assignment, but manager Aaron Boone said on Sunday that he doesn’t know when Britton will pitch a bullpen or live BP in New York. Boone also said that the Yankees don’t have a set plan for how many rehab innings and appearances Britton will need before they hope to put him back into the lineup sometime in September.
MATT CARPENTER
Injury: Fractured left foot
Status: Has been on 15-day injured list since August 9
Games missed: 12
Carpenter still has a few days left of the two weeks he has to wear a walking boot that can support his weight. Early in September, he will get more X-rays to see how his foot is healing. Carpenter and the Yankees are hopeful that he will be able to come back to play later in the season.
MIGUEL CASTRO
Injury: Strain on the right shoulder
Status: He has been on 15-day IL since July 16, but the start date was July 13. On August 1, he was put on 60-day IL
Games missed: 12
Latest: Castro has been throwing from 90 feet away, but he’s not back on the pitching mound yet. The Yankees are sure he’ll be back in their bullpen by the middle of September. He can come back on September 12.
JOSH DONALDSON
Illness: Stomach virus
Status: On the active list
Games missed: 2
Latest: Donaldson was scratched from Saturday’s game due to illness, but told manager Aaron Boone he was available to pinch-hit. Donaldson was out of the lineup that day and again the next day, despite feeling better. He should be fine for Monday’s Subway Series opener between the Yankees and Mets.
SCOTT EFFROSS
Illness: Stomach virus
Status: On the active list
Games missed: 2
Latest: Effross felt shoulder stiffness in Saturday’s loss and missed Sunday’s game. Monday is his shoulder exam. He may be placed on the 15-day DL by mid-to-late afternoon with shoulder inflammation.
CHAD GREEN
Injury: Tommy John surgery was done on June 3 to fix a right flexor tear
Status: 15-day injured list as of March 21. Was moved to 60-day IL on May 27
Games missed: 84
Latest: Green has been getting back in shape close to his home in Louisville, and he hopes to pitch sometime next year. After the 2022 season, he won’t have a team.
CLAY HOLMES
Injury: Back pain in the lower left side
Status: Since Aug. 17, he has been on the 15-day injured list
Games missed: 8
Latest: Holmes resumed light throwing on Saturday and Sunday. Holmes and the Yankees hope he’ll be ready to return on August 29. Boone won’t put the 2022 All-Star back in the closer’s role until he pitches like he did in the first half. He has a 2.39 ERA for the season, but it was 12.66 in his last six outings with three blown saves, two losses, six walks, and three hit batters.
MICHAEL KING
Injury: Fractured right elbow
Status: Since July 23, he has been on the 60-day injured list
Games missed: 122
Latest: King had season-ending elbow surgery 3 ½ weeks ago. Doctors will reassess the ligaments 8-10 weeks after surgery, Boone said. A bad update could lead to Tommy John surgery and missing the 2023 season. Yankees hope King can avoid Tommy John and be ready for spring training.
STEPHEN RIDINGS
Injury: Right shoulder impingement.
Status: 60-day injured list since April 5.
Games missed: 122
Latest: After missing most of the season, Ridings is nearing a return. He tweeted on Aug. 3 that he was throwing his first bullpen. Ridings could pitch in the majors late this season, says Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake. The Yankees like Ridings’ power arm and were impressed by his 1.80 ERA in his first five big-league starts.
LUIS SEVERINO
Injury: A mild strain in the right lat
Status: 15-day IL since July 14, 60-day IL since August 1
Games missed: 34
Latest: Severino had no issues during or after his 25-pitch bullpen on Aug. 15, so he’s cleared to throw Tuesday at Yankee Stadium. If all goes well, Severino will make a minor-league rehab start. If he makes two rehab starts before returning to the Yankees in early September, he could make four or five starts.
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