On a day when the Yankees Triple-A bullpen was lit up by the Red Sox, they did get some relatively positive news on three relievers they have relied on most of the season.
Boone Logan had an MRI exam Saturday on the area near his left arm which showed only inflammation and Joe Girardi expected him to be shut down for another three days or so, but no structural damage was found.
David Robertson said his right shoulder tendinitis had improved overnight, though he will remain sidelined at least a few more days.
“I feel better,” Robertson said before Saturday’s 13-9 loss to the Red Sox. “I don’t think it’s one of those major setbacks.”
Robertson believed he over-extended himself during his appearance on Thursday, when he pitched a scoreless inning and struck out two.
“I had a lot of adrenaline going the other day,” Robertson said. “I probably just push it too hard.”
He still hasn’t thrown and likely is out until the middle of the week.
Shawn Kelley, who suffered triceps tightness during his outing last Sunday, threw a bullpen session before Saturday’s game and felt healthy. He could possibly pitch Sunday.
Right-hander Jim Miller was brought up from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before the game. To make room for Miller on the 40-man roster, the Yankees reinstated Vidal Nuno from the minor league seven-day DL, recalled him from SWB and placed him on the 60-day major league DL with a strained left groin.
Alex Rodriguez wasn’t in the starting lineup Saturday. Joe Girardi said he was just getting a day off after playing six straight.
Eduardo Nunez was plugged in at third, even though he hadn’t worked there in over a month. He took grounders there with infield coach Mick Kelleher before the game and Girardi liked his numbers against John Lackey (3-for-7 before Saturday).
Nunez doubled and scored twice in the loss.
He moved over to shortstop after Derek Jeter left the game in the sixth with an apparent issue with his left ankle, which he had surgery on in October. Mark Reynolds was inserted at third.
Hiroki Kuroda will try to right himself in the series finale Sunday. He has lost four of his last six starts, but was better in his last outing, giving up four runs in 6 ¹/₃ innings against the White Sox.
Red Sox center fielder and leadoff hitter Jacoby Ellsbury, who leads the majors in stolen bases with 52, went back to Boston for further tests on his ailing right foot. Ellsbury underwent a Saturday morning MRI exam that revealed swelling and inflammation so his foot was placed in a boot. There is no time frame for his return so for center field help, Boston recalled Jackie Bradley Jr. from Pawtucket.
Ellsbury reportedly is scheduled to head to Denver for another opinion.
“Jacoby didn’t respond as we might have expected to treatment during the course of the game [Friday],” Red Sox manager John Farrell said. “We sent him back to Boston to be examined and re-examined.
“I don’t think we’re looking at something that’s just day-to-day.”
Additional reporting by Fred Kerber