MLB

Shawn Kelley returning to bolster Yankees bullpen

SEATTLE — The core of the Yankees’ strongest department will get deeper Wednesday when right-handed reliever Shawn Kelley comes off the disabled list.

Kelley rejoined the club Tuesday night, but because he threw an inning for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Monday night the Yankees didn’t want him throwing one night, flying across the country the next and jumping into action after overcoming a strained lumbar spine.

“He could very well be with us [Wednesday],’’ manager Joe Girardi said before the Yankees’ 3-2 victory over the Mariners Tuesday night at Safeco Field. “Everything is fine. We are expecting him [Wednesday].’’

Kelley last pitched in the majors May 6. He worked two-thirds of an inning for Double-A Trenton Saturday and a frame Monday for SWB.

The 30-year-old right-hander started the season as closer David Robertson’s eighth-inning setup man, but since he has been out, Girardi has employed right-handers Dellin Betances and Adam Warren in that role and they have done very well.

Betances, who gave up the tying run to make it 2-2 in the seventh Tuesday night, has worked himself into the All-Star conversation by striking out 63 batters in 37¹/₃ innings while walking 10. He has allowed just 19 hits in 37¹/₃ innings.

Sixty-three of the 112 outs Betances has recorded were via strikeouts, including 47 of the last 80.

Warren’s numbers are dwarfed by Betances’ but they are solid. Warren, who pitched a scoreless eighth inning, has allowed In 34 innings he has allowed 32 hits in 35 innings, fanned 32 and walked nine. He entered the night limiting hitters to a .244 average.

Where Kelley fits into Girardi’s bullpen isn’t clear. In 16 games he worked 15¹/₃ innings, allowed a respectable 12 hits and whiffed 16. Hitters are batting .218 against him.

Jose Ramirez and Matt Daley are candidates to be moved to make room for Kelley.


Jacoby Ellsbury (sore right hip) was in the lineup Tuesday night after not being included Monday night when the Yankees-Royals game was rained out in Kansas City and had the game-winning single in the eighth inning.

Ellsbury, easily the Yankees hottest hitter with a 14-game hit streak, tweaked the hip running the bases Sunday. When he complained of soreness Monday, Girardi was planning to hold him out of the lineup but said he was available off the bench.

During the longest hitting streak by a Yankee this season, Ellsbury is batting .375 (21-for-56).


The Mariners presented Derek Jeter with a seat from the Kingdome, a base from Safeco Field and a $5,000 check for his Turn 2 Foundation. Robinson Cano gave Jeter a watch with a personal inscription thanking him for advice on leadership and respect.

Also on hand representing the Mariners at the pregame ceremony at home plate were Edgar Martinez, Jay Buhner and Felix Hernandez.


The Yankees will hold the 68th Old-Timers’ Day June 22 at Yankee Stadium. The center piece of the annual celebration will be Hall of Fame pitcher Goose Gossage getting a plaque in Monument Park.

Other Hall of Famers invited to attend are Whitey Ford, Yogi Berra, Rickey Henderson and Reggie Jackson. Joe Torre, who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in July, also has been invited.

Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui, who helped the Yankees win their last World Series in 2009, have been invited and are expected to attend for the first time.