MINNEAPOLIS – In order to import emergency bullpen help yesterday after exhausting their pen during Saturday night’s 12-inning victory, the Yankees had to swallow the remaining $1.12 million on Morgan Ensberg’s $1.75 million contract.
To make room for righty reliever Scott Patterson, the Yankees designated Ensberg for assignment.
“In spring training we thought we would get a lot out of him,” Joe Girardi said of the right-handed hitting Ensberg, who hadn’t started a game since May 15 and had just five at-bats since. “He was used to being an every-day player. He worked his rear end off. For whatever reason it didn’t work out.”
The Yankees have 10 days to trade or release the 32-year-infielder, who batted .203 (15-for-74) in 28 games (17 starts). With that much money remaining it’s not likely Ensberg will be claimed on waivers.
Patterson, 28, was the last pitcher cut in spring training on the final day after not allowing a run and just one hit in eight games (72/3 innings). Following a slow start at Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre, the right-hander was 1-0 with a 3.04 ERA in 22 games.
Patterson relieved Darrell Rasner in the sixth inning of yesterday’s 5-1 loss to the Twins to make his major league debut. The former Independent League hurler (parts of five years) gave up a run, a hit and walked two in 11/3 innings. To mark the end of a long journey to the big leagues, Patterson received the lineup card and a CD of his outing.
The Yankees had plans to call up a pitcher in time for Tuesday night’s game since Joba Chamberlain isn’t expected to work deep into his first start and Mike Mussina goes the next night.
Patterson isn’t that guy and it appears to be Dan Giese, who was pulled after one inning yesterday in a start against Rochester so he would be able to provide length tomorrow or Wednesday.
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With no extended spring training game yesterday, Jorge Posada had a day off. He will catch today and tomorrow, rest Wednesday and could come off the disabled list Thursday. Posada has been out since April 27 with rotator cuff tendinitis.
There is an outside chance he could be activated and available for pinch-hitting duties Wednesday if his shoulder is OK after tomorrow’s extended spring game.
The Yankees will carry three catchers for a while with Posada back. That could mean Shelley Duncan will be sent to SWB. Duncan is hitting .161 in 21 games.
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Derek Jeter is showing signs that a deep hitting funk could be over. Jeter started Saturday night’s game in a 3-for-25 (.120) slump that went to 3-for-30 (.100) with an 0-for-5 start until he helped build the winning run with a 12th-inning single. Yesterday, Jeter walked twice and homered.
“I feel like he is coming out of it a little bit,” Girardi said. “I think the at-bats were great.”
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When Harlan Chamberlain arrived in town last Thursday, there was a chance his son would make his first major league start tonight against the Twins. Now that Joba will do that tomorrow night at Yankee Stadium, Harlan, according to Joba, won’t be able to make the trip to The Bronx.