Got a bunch of injury updates and roster moves, so…

• Jose Campos‘ elbow is barking and he’s headed for an MRI. I really hope we can all look back on this trade one day and laugh at how awful it looked four months in.
• Buried within this Joel Sherman column is word that Austin Romine‘s back problem is “going to require at least six more weeks of rehab,” though Josh Norris is now reporting that he is headed to see a specialist. No bueno.
• David Adams said “everything feels great” with his neck and he’s headed to Tampa to start a rehab assignment later this weekend.
• Ramiro Pena has been placed on the 7-day DL for an unknown reason. Corban Joseph was activated off the Triple-A DL and sent down to Double-A. Walt Ibarra’s finger is bothering him, but apparently not enough to require a DL stint.

Triple-A Empire State (3-0 loss to Rochester)
2B Kevin Russo: 2-3, 2 BB, 1 K, 1 SB — has reached base 21 times in his last ten games
SS Doug Bernier & RF Colin Curtis: both 1-3, 1 BB, 1 K — Curtis stole a base and threw a runner out at first
1B Steve Pearce, DH Jack Cust, 3B Brandon Laird & C Frankie Cervelli: all 0-4, 1 K — Pearce and Cust drew walks
LF Cole Garner: 0-3, 1 BB, 1 K
CF Ray Kruml: 2-4, 2 K, 1 SB
RHP Ramon Ortiz: 6 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 1 WP, 1 HB, 7/2 GB/FB — 60 of 92 pitches were strikes (65.3%)
RHP Chase Whitley: 2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 2/1 GB/FB — 21 of 34 pitches were strikes (61.8%)
RHP Kevin Whelan: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 0/1 GB/FB — 13 pitches, seven strikes … I wonder if we’ll see him at some point this summer following Mariano Rivera‘s injury, he’s pitching well enough for a call-up

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The recently signed Adonis Garcia will head to Extended Spring Training for a while before being assigned to one of the minor league affiliates. Ronnie Mustelier was the same age Garcia is now when he signed last year, and he went to High-A Tampa after spending some time in ExST, though he signed later in the summer. Not crazy to think Garcia will see Double-A Trenton at some point this summer.

In other news, Dan Burawa’s rehab from a torn oblique is apparently go well. Hooray for that, even if we still don’t have any idea of when he’ll be back on a mound. Meanwhile, Gus Molina was activated off the DL and Yadil Mujica was promoted to Triple-A.

Triple-A Empire State (4-3 loss to Rochester) all three outfielders had an assist, which I don’t think I’ve ever seen before
2B Kevin Russo: 2-3, 1 R, 1 BB — 12 for his last 31 (.387) with four doubles, eight walks, and five strikeouts
DH Frankie Cervelli & RF Cole Garner: both 0-4 — Cervelli struck out three times, Garner twice … Garner also threw a runner out at first
LF Dewayne Wise & 3B Steve Pearce: both 0-3, 1 BB — Wise scored a run, struck out, and threw a runner out at the plate … Pearce committed a throwing error
1B Brandon Laird: 2-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2 K, 1 E (missed catch) — 12 for his last 34 (.353)
CF Colin Curtis, C Craig Tatum & SS Doug Bernier: all 0-3 — Curtis threw a runner out at second … Tatum allowed a passed ball … Bernier struck out twice
RHP Dellin Betances: 6 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 6 BB, 2 K, 1 WP, 7/7 GB/FB — 55 of 108 pitches were strikes (50.9%) … 6+ BB in three of six starts this year, leading to a 21/27 K/BB in 28.1 IP … the bullpen, it’s a callin’
RHP Adam Miller: 3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 4/0 GB/FB — 26 of 39 pitches were strikes (66.7%)

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Got some more minor league notes than usual, so let’s break out the bullet points…

• Remember Juan Carlos Paniagua? The Yankees signed him for $1.1M last year but the deal was later voided due to falsified documents. The 22-year-old will be eligible to sign again this July, and Conor Glassey got a fresh look at his live arm yesterday. Paniagua will be subject to the new spending restrictions and it’ll be interesting to see if the Yanks pursue a new deal.
• Local columnist Gene Sapakoff says the current Low-A Charleston team is the best in franchise history. The River Dogs came into today leading their division with a 16-7 record.
• D.J. Mitchell‘s two-hit gem last month was the second best pitching performance in all of Triple-A during April. By Game Score (84), it was the sixth best performance in all of minor league baseball during the season’s first month.
• Pat Venditte was placed on the DL with right arm soreness, which explains why he had been pitching exclusively left-handed of late. Triple-A Empire State also activated two players following last night’s game: OF Cole Garner (DL) and RHP Cody Eppley (demotion).

And now to the games…

Triple-A Empire State (2-1 win over Rochester)
LF Kevin Russo, CF Dewayne Wise & DH Jack Cust: all 0-4 — Wise and Cust each struck out twice
2B Jayson Nix: 1-4, 1 2B, 1 K
1B Steve Pearce: 2-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 K — 16 for his last 33 (.485) with six doubles and three homers
C Frankie Cervelli: 2-3, 1 R — 13 for his last 38 (.342)
3B Brandon Laird, RF Cole Garner & SS Ramiro Pena: all 1-3 — Laird doubled … Garner struck out … Pena doubled, drove in a run, and struck out
LHP Manny Banuelos: 3.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, 1 WP, 3/2 GB/FB — 38 of 60 pitches were strikes (63.3%) and he was up to 94 on the stadium gun … very nice first start back from the lat problem, and he should get it up to 75 or so pitches next time out
RHP Jason Bulger: 3.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 4/2 GB/FB — 26 of 39 pitches were strikes (66.7%)
RHP Cody Eppley: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 2/0 GB/FB — 20 of 38 pitches were strikes (52.6%)

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Triple-A Empire State (5-2 win over Rochester)
RF Colin Curtis: 0-4, 1 K
LF Jayson Nix: 1-2, 1 R, 2 BB — four hits in his last ten at-bats
CF Dewayne Wise: 1-3, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K
1B Steve Pearce: 2-4, 2 R, 1 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI — missed a few days after fouling a ball off his foot, but he’s back and hasn’t missed a beat … broke the game open with a three-run dinger in the eighth
DH Jack Cust: 1-4, 1 K — still hasn’t played the field yet this year
C Frankie Cervelli & SS Doug Bernier: both 0-2, 1 BB — Bernier scored a run and struck out
3B Brandon Laird & 2B Ramiro Pena: both 0-3 — Laird struck out
RHP Adam Warren: 5 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 3/6 GB/FB — 60 of 99 pitches were strikes (60.6%) … I really wish he’d start striking out more guys, he has just a 6.4 K/9 and a 16.3 K% (!) in 178 career Triple-A innings
RHP Chase Whitley: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 2/1 GB/18 — 18 of 31 pitches were strikes (58.1%)
LHP Juan Cedeno: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 1/1 GB/FB – eight of 14 pitches were strikes (57.1%)
RHP Kevin Whelan: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K — 19 of 33 pitches were strikes (57.6%) … been a while since he had a game like this

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Slade Heathcott took batting practice today for the first time since having his second left shoulder operation last year. He says it went well. Meanwhile, Josh Norris interviewed Tyler Austin recently, so check that out.

Yadil Mujica went 10-for-18 last week and was named the Double-A Eastern League Offensive Player of the Week.

Double-A Trenton (6-3 win over Portland) scored three in the top of the ninth to win it
RF Abe Almonte: 2-4, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 SB — having himself a very nice season thus far
LF Dan Brewer: 1-4, 1 R
3B Ronnie Mustelier: 2-5, 2 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2 K — gave the team the lead in the ninth with a two-run dinger
DH Cody Johnson: 2-5, 1 RBI, 2 K
CF Melky Mesa: 2-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 HBP — had been in a 4-for-33 rut (.121)
1B Luke Murton: 3-4, 1 2B, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 CS
C Jose Gil: 0-5, 2 K
SS Addison Maruszak: 1-5, 1 R, 1 K, 1 E (all fielding)
2B Yadil Mujica: 1-4, 1 K
RHP Graham Stoneburner: 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 3/1 GB/FB — 32 of 48 pitches were strikes (66.7%) … first start off the DL (groin), so he was probably limited to 50 pitches
RHP Michael Dubee: 2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 6/1 GB/FB — 30 of 41 pitches were strikes (73.2%)
RHP Ryan Pope: 2.2IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 3/1 GB/FB — 34 of 51 pitches were strikes (66.7%)
LHP Francisco Rondon: 0.1 IP, zeroes, 0/1 GB/FB — threw eight pitches, including six strikes
RHP Kelvin Perez: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 0/1 GB/FB — eight of 15 pitches were strikes

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Dan Brewer was activated off the DL, but no corresponding move was needed because Double-A Trenton had an open roster spot.

Triple-A Empire State (8-2 win over Lehigh Valley)
LF Kevin Russo: 0-1, 2 R, 3 BB, 1 SB, 1 HBP — 11 BB and 9 K in 18 games
2B Doug Bernier, 3B Jayson Nix & RF Colin Curtis: all 1-4, 1 R — Bernier walked and struck out twice … Nix drove in two and struck out … Curtis doubled, plated two, walked, and struck out twice
CF Dewayne Wise: 1-3, 2 R, 2 BB — has slowed down just a bit of late, but he’s in line for a call-up if the big league outfield situation gets any more dire
DH Jack Cust: 1-4, 1 RBI, 2 K
1B Brandon Laird: 3-5, 1 R, 1 K
C Craig Tatum: 1-3, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 2 K
SS Ramiro Pena: 1-4, 2 K
LHP Mike O’Connor: 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 8/1 GB/FB — 48 of 70 pitches were strikes (68.6%) … nice spot start in place of D.J. Mitchell, who was called up this morning
SwP Pat Venditte: 3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 2/0 GB/FB – 26 of 35 pitches were strikes (74.3%)
LHP Juan Cedeno: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 1/0 GB/FB — 17 pitches, 12 strikes (70.6%)

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Manny Banuelos (back) is scheduled to come off the DL and start for Triple-A Empire State on Wednesday, so hooray for that. Meanwhile, Graham Stoneburner (groin) will come off the DL and start for Double-A Trenton on Tuesday.

Triple-A Empire State (8-4 win over Lehigh Valley)
LF-3B Kevin Russo: 2-4, 1 R, 1 2B, 3 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K — eight for his last 13 (.615) with four doubles
C Frankie Cervelli: 3-5, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI — ten for his last 25 (.400)
DH-LF Dewayne Wise: 1-4
1B Steve Pearce: 0-1, 1 R, 1 BB – left the game after fouling a ball off his foot in the second inning
CF Ray Kruml: 0-2, 1 K — replace Pearce off the bench
2B Jayson Nix: 2-4, 1 R, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 1 K
RF-1B Brandon Laird: 1-2, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB
CF-RF Colin Curtis: 1-3, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB
SS Doug Bernier: 0-2, 1 R, 1 BB
3B Ramiro Pena: 1-4, 1 R, 1 K — was ejected for arguing balls and strikes in the eighth inning
RHP Nelson Figueroa: 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 HB, 8/3 GB/FB — 43 of 65 pitches were strikes (66.2%) … dude is still sitting in the low-90s at 38 years old too
RHP Adam Miller: 2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 4/2 GB/FB — 22 of 36 pitches were strikes (61.1%)
RHP Chase Whitley: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 2/0 GB/FB — eight of 13 pitches were strikes
RHP Kevin Whelan: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K — 18 pitches, 12 strikes … 17 K and 5 BB in 11 IP

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For the first time this season, you get bullet points…

• Triple-A Empire State (win): Dellin Betances walked only four in five innings, an improvement over recent starts. The bullpen trio of Juan Cedeno, Chase Whitley, and Kevin Whelan threw four nasty innings. Kevin Russo had three singles and Craig Tatum whacked a two-run dinger on a slow night of offense.
• Double-A Trenton (loss): The Thunder drew eight walks but only mustered three singles with the sticks, one each by Abe Almonte, Walt Ibarra, and Ronnie Mustelier. Shaeffer Hall allowed two runs in six innings in an otherwise uninteresting game.
• High-A Tampa (loss): Rob Segedin had two hits including a double, but J.R. Murphy‘s single was the only piece of offense they could put together. Nike Turley threw a gem — two runs, five strikeouts, and one walk in eight innings — before Branden Pinder got hit around for the walk-off loss.
• Low-A Charleston (loss): Mason Williams went hitless in three at-bats before being lifted for a pinch-hitter to open the ninth. I hope that was just a function of getting him rest in a blowout rather than an injury. Gary Sanchez doubled on a night when Tyler Austin, Dante Bichette Jr., Angelo Gumbs, and Cito Culver all failed to reach base. Will Oliver got hammered — five runs in 2.2 IP — and the parade of fringe prospect relievers didn’t fare much better.

Bryan Mitchell headlined today’s Minor League Update after last night’s gem. The article if free, you don’t need a subscription, so head on over and check it out.

In other news, Rob Lyerly is heading to North Carolina to get a second opinion on his injured shoulder and may need surgery, which sounds awfully familiar after this week. He was hitting .176/.263/.529 in 19 PA for Double-A Trenton before getting hurt. Graham Stoneburner threw a simulated game today; he’s been on the shelf with a groin strain.

Triple-A Empire State (6-4 loss to Lehigh Valley)
CF Colin Curtis: 0-4, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K
C Frankie Cervelli: 1-4, 1 HBP — got hit by a pitch in the fit, but walked away fine
RF Dewayne Wise: 3-5, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 K — gotta think he gets the call if Brett Gardner doesn’t come back soon
1B Steve Pearce: 2-4, 1 2B, 1 BB, 1 SB — he’s more than replaced Jorge Vazquez’s production
DH Jack Cust: 1-5, 2 K
3B Brandon Laird: 1-5, 1 R, 1 K
LF Kevin Russo: 3-5, 2 R, 2 2B, 1 RBI, 1 K — had been in a 4-for-24 rut (.167)
SS Ramiro Pena: 1-4, 1 K, 1 E (fielding)
2B Doug Bernier: 1-3
RHP Ramon Ortiz: 5.2 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 1 HB, 7/3 GB/FB — 61 of 90 pitches were strikes (67.8%)
LHP Mike O’Connor: 1.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 2/1 GB/FB — just 12 of 23 pitches were strikes (52.2%)
SwP Pat Venditte: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 HB, 1/0 GB/FB – 17 of 26 pitches were strikes (65.4%) … threw from the left side exclusively again
RHP Jason Bulger: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 1/2 GB/FB – 12 of 19 pitches were strikes (63.2%)

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Dellin Betances was one of five prospects off to slow starts highlighted by Kevin Goldstein today. You can read the article on ESPN or Baseball Prospectus, but you need a subscription either way. It’s the usual Betances stuff, meaning nasty stuff but likely to end up in the bullpen because he can’t throw strikes with any consistently.

Triple-A Empire State (8-6 win over Pawtucket) scored four in the top of the ninth for the comeback win
RF Colin Curtis: 1-4, 2 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 2 SB — 13 BB and 15 K this year
CF Dewayne Wise: 1-4, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 SB — threw a runner out at second
1B Steve Pearce & SS Ramiro Pena: both 1-4, 1 R — Pearce drove in a run and Pena struck out
C Frankie Cervelli: 2-4, 1 R, 3 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K — drove in the first two runs of the ninth
DH Jack Cust: 1-3, 1 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB, 1 K — second straight day with a dinger
3B Brandon Laird: 1-3, 1 RBI, 2 K, 2 HBP
2B Jayson Nix: 0-5, 1 K
LF Kevin Russo: 0-3, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Adam Warren: 5 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 1 WP, 5/2 GB/FB — 60 of 98 pitches were strikes (61.2%) … allowed three homers as well, so hopefully this is just a bump in the road after two strong starts
RHP Adam Miller: 1 IP, zeroes, 2 K, 1 HB, 1/1 GB/FB — seven of ten pitches were strikes … season debut after spending some time in the DL, hopefully he pitches his way into the bullpen mix later this summer
RHP Chase Whitley: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 1/2 GB/FB — 17 of 21 pitches were strikes (81.0%)
RHP Kevin Whelan: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 0/1 GB/FB — just a dozen of his 26 pitches were strikes (46.2%) … struck out the last two batters to preserve the win

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