The Yankees got one of their walking wounded back last night when Nick Swisher returned to right field.
Swisher had not played since last Saturday because of a sore left biceps. He went 1-for-4 and reported no pain in his return.
Before the game, the Yankees called up Kevin Russo and Chad Moeller from Triple-A to provide some reinforcements. Russo can play both the infield and outfield, and Moeller will serve as the backup catcher in Jorge Posada’s absence.
Posada was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a broken bone in his right foot, and pitcher Mark Melancon was shipped back to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to make room on the roster. Nick Johnson was moved to the 60-day DL to clear space on the 40-man roster for Moeller.
The Yankees discussed bringing up one of their catching prospects to backup Francisco Cervelli while Posada is out, but decided against accelerating the track Jesus Montero and Austin Romine are on.
*
Major League Baseball denied the Yankees’ protest of Tuesday’s game against the Red Sox. The Yankees took issue with how the Sox removed Josh Beckett from the game in the fifth inning. There was no indication he was hurt before they signaled for Manny Delcarmen to enter from the bullpen, and Delcarmen was allowed as many warm-up pitches as he wanted.
“Surprise, surprise,” Cashman said sarcastically about the protest getting denied.
*
Cashman said center fielder Curtis Granderson (groin) is getting close to a rehabilitation assignment. Granderson said it could happen as soon as next week. … Reliever Alfredo Aceves (back) played catch yesterday and said he felt no pain. … Marcus Thames did not play after spraining his left ankle in Wednesday’s game. He is day-to-day.