NEW YORK — The New York Yankees recalled right-handed pitcher Allan Winans from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday. The move comes as the team placed reliever Brent Headrick on the 15-day injured list.
The Yankees announced the recall before Wednesday night’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays. Winans will provide bullpen depth after Headrick was sidelined with a left forearm contusion.
Headrick suffered the injury August 14 when Minnesota’s Brooks Lee hit a 93.2 mph line drive off his left forearm. The left-hander finished that inning but hasn’t pitched since.
The injury is retroactive to August 16. Manager Aaron Boone said Headrick still hasn’t fully recovered from the hard-hit ball.
Winans excels at Triple-A
Winans has dominated at the minor league level this season. The 30-year-old owns a 1.20 ERA and 1.05 WHIP with 82 strikeouts in 75 innings at Triple-A.
“He’s been tremendous,” Boone said of Winans’ performance. “To be this deep in the season as a starting pitcher, have sub-1 [ERA], it’s been really, really excellent.”
Winans has primarily worked as a starter in the minors. That role will change in the majors.
His major league numbers tell a different story. Winans has an 8.68 ERA and 1.71 WHIP in three appearances with New York this season.
Yankees deal with injured pitchers
The recall highlights New York’s pitching problems. Seven pitchers currently sit on the injured list.
Right-hander Jonathan Loaisiga suffered a flexor strain. He was expected to return from back issues but now faces more time on the IL.
“It’s been an up and down season for him as he returns,” Boone said of Loaisiga. “I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself.”
The Yankees lost starter Gerrit Cole to Tommy John surgery before the season. Clarke Schmidt also needs the procedure.
New role awaits Winans
Boone plans to use Winans in long relief. The right-hander must “effectively erase multiple innings at a time to preserve the rest of the bullpen,” according to the team’s needs.
Winans throws a four-seam fastball, sinker, curveball and changeup. His changeup is considered his best pitch. His fastball sits in the 88-92 mph range.
The Yankees claimed Winans off waivers from Atlanta in January. He was originally drafted by the New York Mets in 2018 from Campbell University.
Critical stretch ahead
The Yankees entered Wednesday in second place in the AL East. They trail Toronto by four games and lead Boston by 1.5 games.
New York dropped them from first place to their current position after a turbulent summer skid.
The team faces Boston in a four-game series starting Thursday at Yankee Stadium. The Red Sox sit just behind the Yankees in the wild-card race.
Winans seeks breakthrough
This recall could determine Winans’ future with the organization. He has excelled in the minors but struggled at the major league level throughout his career.
With Atlanta, Winans posted a 2.85 ERA at Triple-A in 2023 and 3.30 in 2024. His MLB ERAs were 5.29 and 15.26 respectively.
Roster expansion begins Sept. 1. Winans needs to prove his worth before additional players join the active roster.
The Yankees fans hope his Triple-A success finally translates to the major leagues. With limited bullpen options, they need Winans to contribute immediately.
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