To make room for spot starter Will Warren in Chicago on Wednesday, the Yankees needed to cut one pitcher from their bullpen. With Enyel De Los Santos struggling and posting a 14.21 ERA with the team, he was the odd man out and was designated for assignment.
De Los Santos was acquired from the Padres in one of the Yankees’ trade deadline moves aimed at strengthening their bullpen. However, he lasted only two weeks with the major league club. The Yankees needed Warren due to recent rainouts at Yankee Stadium, which caused a disruption in their starting rotation. This led to the need for either a bullpen game or a call-up from the minors.
Although Warren had been optioned to Triple-A less than 15 days ago, he could be recalled due to an injury to Jazz Chisholm Jr., who was placed on the IL with a left elbow strain. Additionally, former top prospect Oswald Peraza was called up to fill Chisholm’s spot, leading to several roster changes.
Jake Cousins, the only pitcher in the bullpen with minor-league options remaining, was not demoted. He has established himself in the bullpen, earning his first MLB save on Tuesday night and boasting a 2.14 ERA since June 27.
De Los Santos’s performance did not help his case. Over his first five appearances with the Yankees, he struggled significantly, failing to have a clean outing and allowing 10 runs over four innings, including a disastrous seven-run performance against the White Sox.
“It was a tough decision,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “We feel he’s better than his recent results show, but the rainouts forced our hand. We couldn’t manage with just a bullpen day, so we had to make this difficult choice.”
Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake noted that De Los Santos struggled with his fastball and command, attributing some of his difficulties to adjusting to a new team. Blake acknowledged that De Los Santos has been better in his career but had challenges with pitch command and getting adequate opportunities.
In the trade for De Los Santos, the Yankees sent outfield prospect Brandon Lockridge to the Padres and also acquired minor-league pitcher Thomas Balboni Jr.
Leave a Reply