Esmil Rogers, a hard-throwing 28-year-old from the Dominican Republic, is the latest in the conga line of Yankees starters, scheduled to join the rotation for Friday night’s series opener against the Indians. Here are nine things to know about the journeyman right-hander before Rogers takes the hill in the Bronx:
1. Rogers began his career with the Rockies, covering parts of four seasons from 2009 to 2012. In that time, he had a 6.77 ERA. In 38 career games at Coors Field, he has a 8.15 ERA.
2. After the 2012 season, the Indians dealt Rogers to the Blue Jays for Mike Aviles and Yan Gomes, who has developed into Cleveland’s starting catcher with 16 home runs this season.
3. Rogers’ two best efforts with the Blue Jays: Last June 18, he carried a no-hitter for 5 1/3 innings against the Rockies, and last Sept. 8, he twirled 7 2/3 scoreless innings in Minnesota.
4. Rogers’ acquisition off waivers from the Blue Jays flew under the radar, coming on July 31 during the frantic final hours before the trade deadline, when the Yankees also added Stephen Drew and Martin Prado.
5. Rogers recorded the win in his Yankees debut with three hitless innings of relief against the Red Sox on Aug. 3.
6. Rogers will be the 12th different starting pitcher used by the Yankees this season, in their 115th game (the rest: Kuroda, Tanaka, Phelps, Nuno, Whitley, Sabathia, Greene, McCarthy, Nova, Pineda, Capuano).
7. The big leaguer with the most plate appearances without reaching base against Rogers is new teammate Chase Headley (eight). Among hitters who own Rogers: Robinson Cano (4-for-5 with a homer) and Dustin Pedroia (6-for-13 with three doubles).
8. Rogers has a bit of a wicked history with Red Sox third baseman Will Middlebrooks. When Rogers was with the Indians in 2012, he broke Middlebrooks’ wrist with a pitch. Last month, while working for the Blue Jays’ Triple-A affiliate in Buffalo, Rogers plunked Middlebrooks again, inciting a brawl with Pawtucket.
9. According to Fangraphs, Rogers mostly throws fastballs and sliders, with the occasional cutter, curveball and changeup. His heat averages 94 mph, down from a peak of 96 mph in 2012, when he worked exclusively as a reliever.