Leroux & Billings Accept Triple-A Assignments

Both starting pitchers Chris Leroux and Bruce Billings were designated for assignment by the New York Yankees last week and both players have since cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A. Both players have accepted their minor league assignments and will report to Scranton Wilkes-Barre with the RailRiders rather than electing free agency. Both players will probably be back at some point this season if Brian Cashman cannot bring in more depth.

Nothing wrong with a minor league deal and nothing wrong with depth. Nothing more, carry on.

Kelly Johnson Placed On 15 Day DL w/ Groin Injury

The Yankees have placed Kelly Johnson on the 15 day DL with a left groin injury. The Yankees need bullpen help so Chris Leroux has been called up and Bruce Billings has been designated for assignment. No word on any other corresponding moves if any so stay tuned.

Quick Hit: McCarthy Starts Wednesday For New York

Mccarthy told reporters in Arizona that he'll start for yankees wednesday
— Daniel Barbarisi (@DanBarbarisi) July 6, 2014

Unless you have been living under a rock or unless your a terrible Yankees fan, I kid, New York traded Vidal Nuno to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Brandon McCarthy. McCarthy was heard telling reporters that he would report to New York and start on Wednesday against the Cleveland Indians. The Indians currently have Josh Tomlin scheduled to throw Wednesday night in Cleveland.

The pitching matchups for the week are all jumbled but look something like this (tentatively):

Shane Greene vs. Justin Masterson
Masahiro Tanaka vs. Trevor Bauer
Brandon McCarthy vs. Josh Tomlin
David Phelps vs. TJ House

Chase Whitley gets skipped and honestly, he should be. More to come I'm sure so stay tuned.

Alfonso Soriano Has Been Designated For Assignment

Soriano DFA
— Lohud Yankees Blog (@LoHudYankees) July 6, 2014

Alfonso Soriano has been designated for assignment by the New York Yankees to make room for Bruce Billings on the 40 man and 25 man roster. It's been a tough season and I have been calling for this all season long but I have a pit in my stomach while reporting it. Good luck Sori, it's not over for you I hope.

Bruce Billings Is In The Yankee Clubhouse

Bruce Billings just walked into the clubhouse #Yankees
— Meredith Marakovits (@M_Marakovits) July 6, 2014

We all thought that Bruce Billings was scratched from last night's start in Scranton because he was coming up to be the long man in the bullpen but that may not be true. With Vidal Nuno traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Brandon McCarthy Billings may instead be in line to start Monday against the Cleveland Indians. Stay tuned...

Heathcott & Billings Joined Trenton Today

The Thunder announced today that RHP Bruce Billings and OF Slade Heathcott have joined the Thunder and are expected to play in today's 10:35am game against the Erie SeaWolves. To make room for Heathcott on the Thunder's 25-man roster, OF Yeral Sanchez was transferred to Short Season-A Staten Island. Billings is joining the Thunder on an MLB Rehab Assignment and does not count towards the 25-man roster limit.

Billings is expected to start and pitch a few innings for the Thunder Thursday morning, and Slade Heathcott is projected to be the No. 2 hitter in Trenton's lineup.

Billings made his MLB debut for the Colorado Rockies in 2011 and has appeared in five Major League games including one this year with New York. On April 27, he was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained forearm. The right-hander has a career record of 62-46 with a 3.91 ERA in eight Minor League seasons after being drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 30th round of the 2007 Amateur Draft.

Heathcott played in 103 games for the Thunder last season before suffering a season-ending knee injury. He batted .261 with 8 HR, 49 RBI and 15 stolen bases while playing centerfield for the Thunder. Heathcott, a member of the Yankees 40-man Roster and #2 rated Yankees prospect according to Baseball America, has a .270 batting average in five Minor League seasons. He was the New York Yankees top pick (29th overall) of the 2009 Amateur Draft.

The Thunder and Erie SeaWolves conclude a three game series this morning at 10:35am. Listen live on WTSR 91.3FM or online at trentonthunder.com. The Thunder will travel to Portland to face the Sea Dogs this weekend before returning home on Monday, May 19 to face the Harrisburg Senators in a four game set. All Thunder tickets are available by calling 609-394-3300 or online attrentonthunder.com. 

Bruce Billings To DL, Preston Claiborne Recalled

How about that?

A few hours after I post something regarding the number of transactions and injuries for the Yankees another one happens.

This time it involves Bruce Billings, who was placed on the 15-Day DL with a right forearm strain. In his place the Yankees have recalled Preston Claiborne.

Yankees Call Up Chris Leroux

Chris Leroux in the clubhouse. Assuming that's the move after last night
— Erik Boland (@eboland11) April 26, 2014

No word on whether Bruce Billings will be designated for assignment or if Jose Campos will simply be transferred to the 60 day DL and another roster move will be made but the Yankees will call up Chris Leroux before the game this afternoon. I am obviously leaning towards Billings getting the DFA after his 76 pitch night taking it on the chin for the Yankees bullpen. Thanks for the memories Bruce, even if they weren't so great.

And the revolving door continues in the Yankees bullpen.

Kuroda roughed up early in blowout loss to Angels

Hiroki Kuroda gave up 6 earned runs in 4.2 innings and recently called up prospect Bruce Billings surrendered another 4 in his major league debut tonight as the Yankees were blown by the Angels, 13-1. From his first pitch in this contest, Kuroda really didn't look like himself, surrendering a total of 10 hits and 2 home runs before eventually being taken out out of mercy in the top of the fifth. 

Anyway, as you can see by that -12 run final score, the Yanks offense was ice cold this evening against Angels starter C.J. Wilson, scoring just once in the sixth when Alfonso Soriano, for the second time in three days, collected the team's only RBI with a line-drive Sac Fly. Besides that play, the supposed Bronx Bombers struggled to even reach base here, putting together just 6 hits while walking 5 times.

Still, I guess you could say Jeter played okay in this loss, going 1-for-2 with a walk. Nothing amazing, but, you know, I guess we might as well take it. I mean, what else is there to do, right?

Claiborne & Anna Down, Billings & Greene Up

My apologies for being late to this party, I was at the hospital with my mother in law all night last night so I am a little behind. Just to get you caught up in case you missed it Shane Greene and Bruce Billings have been called up to the Yankees bullpen. To make room on the 25 man roster Dean Anna and Preston Claiborne have been sent down. To make a 40 man roster spot for Billings the Yankees added Ivan Nova to the 60 day DL. Caught up?

Yankees Spring Training News & Notes 2/18/14

The Yankees were back down at the minor league complex for Spring Training today and here are a few news and notes for you to get you caught back up:

Ivan Nova and Bruce Billings threw live batting practice early this morning to hitters in Tampa today. Nova faced Gary Sanchez and Billings pitched to Peter O'Brien. The Yankees four starters all threw side bullpen sessions today including Masahiro Tanaka, CC Sabathia, and Hiroki Kuroda.

Brendan Ryan is expecting a lot of boos this season when he comes in to replace the retiring Derek Jeter. At least they aren't booing you because you suck Brendan, always look on the bright side.

Chad Jennings asked a Yankees talent evaluator about some of the talent he has seen thus far and Chris Leroux of all people is getting rave reviews. His fastball has shown "impressive life" and is drawing comparisons to AJ Burnett without as much velocity. With AJ being my favorite pitcher of all time you know I like these comparisons and just became an immediate Leroux fan.

Another thanks to Chad Jennings for the pitchers side session list which also includes a video of Masahiro Tanak throwing his bullpen session next to Hiroki Kuroda:

 Today’s sides:
CC Sabathia (to Austin Romine)
Masahiro Tanaka (to John Ryan Murphy)
Hiroki Kuroda (to Brian McCann)
David Herndon (to Francisco Cervelli)

· Among the listed guest instructors for this year: Willie Randolph, David Wells, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada, Hideki Matsui, Reggie Jackson, Ron Guidry, Goose Gossage

Yankees Sign Bruce Billings & Yoshinori Tateyama

#Yankees sign minor league free agent RHP Bruce Billings, re-sign RHP Yoshinori Tateyama.
— Matt Eddy (@MattEddyBA) January 8, 2014

The New York Yankees have announced the signing of two minor league deals with two relief pitchers, Bruce Billings and Yoshinori Tateyama. Matt Eddy of Baseball America, seen above, broke the news on his Twitter today.

Billings is 28 years old and spent 2013 in the Oakland Athletics system posting a 4.31 ERA and 3.96 FIP in 28 games, 26 of them as a reliever. Billings has four games and seven innings of Major League experience that he gained in 2011 and posted a 10.29 ERA and a 5.45 FIP as a reliever. Small sample size thank goodness.

Tateyama is a re-sign after he was traded to the Yankees last year for a bucket of signed baseballs from Joba Chamberlain from the Texas Rangers. Tateyama is 38 years old and coming off his stint with the Scranton affiliate posting a 1.70 ERA and 2.11 FIP in 21 games, 20 as a reliever, with the RailRiders. Tateyama also has Major league experience posting a 5.75 ERA and 4.54 FIP in 53 career relief outings with the Rangers from 2011-2012.

Nothing wrong with minor league deals or pitching depth so both deals get two thumbs up from me.