Roster Moves: Almonte, Gonzalez, Mesa, Neal

July 20, 2013 by Mike Axisa 27 Comments

The Yankees announced a series of (expected) roster moves today, so let’s round ‘em all up:

Zoilo Almonte has been placed on the 15-day DL. He suffered a left ankle sprain when he hit the base running out a ground ball last night. X-rays came back negative, though there is no timetable for his return.
Alberto Gonzalez has been designated for assignment. He went 3-for-25 (.120) after replacing Reid Brignac in late-June. The recently recalled Brent Lillibridge is the backup infielder for the time being.
Melky Mesa has been called up. He hit .249/.277/.424 (86 wRC+) with a 36.7% strikeout rate in 256 plate appearances for Triple-A Scranton. Mesa recently came off the DL after missing a month with a shoulder problem. He was up with the team last September.
Thomas Neal as been called up as well. He was hitting .312/.387/.402 (122 wRC+) in 266 plate appearances for Triple-A Scranton. Neal was up with the team earlier this year, as you surely remember. Joe Girardi confirmed he will serve as the primary DH against left-handers.

kenthadley

Between Alberto, Francisco, Reid, and Cruz we’ve had some big time help from the scrapheap.
- CS Yankee
  
  Define “help”, and follow that up with “big time help”.
  - kenthadley
    
    166 AB’s, 25 hits, 1 hr, 8rbi……basically hit like a good NL pitcher.
Dalek Jeter

Jeez…it’s almost like it’s a rule this season “If you’re helping or expected to help the team win, you WILL get hurt.”
- trr
  
  …then pity whoever we trade for
Kramerica Industries

Yay for more overrun bases.
- SDB
  
  Gotta get on base first, before you start overrunning bases.
  
  I’ll take Mesa over Gonzalez/Brignac/etc for that alone.
CS Yankee

They have gone thru 7 different 3B and Arod isn’t in that list and 8 different SS and Jeter isn’t in that list. WTF? Now the seventh OFer goes down as well.

Drew failed, 2.5M$ more and with the NYY having no one in the minors while the Sox (paid way less) have 2-3 touted LIF position players at/near MLB ready. Be like your bro and take the dough, kid.

Pushing back Obama-care a year might also have something to do with all these injurys too.
justwiped

Hey I just wiped my ass a catcher and a ss just fell out ets give em a shot! I think the C can hit around .026 and the ss around .116 but his D is stellar! I’ll let you guys know when I wipe my ass and find us a really goof right fielder.
trr

Night as well activate A-Rod now and go down swinging
- RetroRob
  
  I agree, although I can understand why the Yankees would be hesitant. Looking at what happened to Jeter his first game back, or Tex last September, should give them pause. The intensity of game conditions on the MLB level is not the same as the minors. Players just push harder.
  
  Jeter’s quad injury was almost assuredly casued by him being rushed back. Here’s a player who works out all year long. He is in a boot most of the winter, has little Spring Training, not much rehab after missing nine months, a stretch he’s never encountered before. Jeter is one of the most durable players in the game and he pulls a quad his first game back. They rushed him.
SDB

Oh, and by any chance, am I the only one finding mlb.tv absolutely useless right now?
Eddard

They’re in must win mode today. Ace on the mound against Lackey. It’s win or bust today because CC probably won’t do much tomorrow night. Alex should be in Boston today, not Scranton. They don’t have much else to hope for. Cashman said he doesn’t know what to do but wait until the injured stars return and save his job.
- LarryM Fl
  
  This is not a must. We have plenty of time until Arod and Jeter come back.
  - Robinson Tilapia
    
    EddardWorld screws with one’s head.
WhittakerWalt

One record I am almost certain we will set this year: most players DFAed.
I’ve lost count.
- Robinson Tilapia
  
  I wonder if that’s actually true.
  - WhittakerWalt
    
    Ben Francisco
    Chris Nelson
    Reid Brignac
    Travis Ishikawa
    Alberto Gonzalez
    Clay Rapada
    Brennan Boesch
    
    At least this many. Might be more. Not sure if these are all DFAs or not. Though I think AG was actually DFAed twice.
    - Robinson Tilapia
      
      Think about how guys are DFAed any year just to clear spots, though. Are there more guys actually being DFAed this year, or is it more magnified because it’s guys being DFAed straight off the MLB squad?
      
      You probably, in the end, are right, but I think you’d be surprised at how little the difference may end up being if you actually were to count them up.
LarryM Fl

Watch attentively as “The Master Plan Unfolds.” Mesa and Neal are one step away from DFA.
Robinson Tilapia

I wish I could put money on “Chris Dickerson is in the lineup by Wedneday.” He’s been beyond overhyped on here, but he’d make a great Option F. I realize the O’s ate trying to trade him. i wish them well there. You couldn’t get a good outfield option if Mesa impregnated Neal.

36.7%. If he were a catcher/3B in Single-A, he’s be the greatest thing since sliced bread. Throw him a parade…….

How come my phone is always nice enough to autocorrect “Robinson,” but never “Tilapia?”
Kosmo

“Pull the strings“ “Pull the strings“

Brings back memories of jake Gibbs, Bobby Cox, Andy Kosco, John kennedy,
Ray Barker, Doc Edwards , Ruben Amaro Sr. to name a few off the top.
- kenthadley
  
  I think they are back
  - Kosmo
    
    ya they´ve taken possession. Night of the living dead.
    - kenthadley
      
      Zombies…that explains the OPS, injuries, etc. Brilliant, Kos…..
ClayDavis

Woohoooo. Lookout MLB!
jtb2034

Cashman can sure build them can’t he?