WASHINGTON Outfielder Clint Frazier spent two games with the Yankees before he was sent to ask for help.
Late Saturday night, not long after a shameful 8-2 loss to the Nationals in National Park, the Yankees said they demoted Frazier and reliever Ben Heller to the team’s alternate training site.
In a corresponding move, they remembered relievers Brooks Kriske and Nick Nelson.
Breaking it down:
When Frazier can return: Just like in a regular 162 game season, Frazier has to spend 10 days away unless he is retired to replace an injured player.
Why it happened: The Yankees have a lot of outfielders and needed help pitching after using five relievers in Saturday’s loss. Heller pitched an inning and left a home run. To be exact, the Yankees had six outfielders with Frazier around. But, at least defensively, Frazier was last on the depth chart. Throw Miguel Andújar, and that makes seven gardeners. Add Tyler Wade on top of that, and that gave the Yankees eight outfielders. The Yankees felt that Frazier’s spot would be better used for an arm from the back of the bullpen instead of his shocking right-handed bat.
A good impression: Manager Aaron Boone finished speaking to reporters long before the Yankees announced the moves. But Boone praised Frazier’s bat, his dedication to defensively improving and his commitment to wearing a mask while playing during the spring training restart. Frazier hit a booming home run in the Yankees’ first exhibition game against the Mets at Citi Field.
Who they raised: For Nelson and Kriske, it will be their first major league experience. MLB Pipeline ranks Nelson as the Yankees’ 16th overall prospect. Baseball America places him at number 28. Brooks was not ranked by both publications, but the Yankees protected him from the Rule 5 Draft in the offseason by placing him on the 40-man list. Nelson has four Triple A appearances in his career. Kriske has not thrown over Double-A.
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