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AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

Beltran Expected Back Tomorrow; Aceves Designated

AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar
AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

The Associated Press has reported that Carlos Beltran completed his third and final day of extended spring training at-bats today, going 1-for-5 this morning with a single and was able to show some power today, driving a pair of balls to the right field fence in Clearwater. Yesterday Beltran faced left handed pitching and went 2-for-3 with a walk, and Monday he was 0-for-3. He was able to get enough swings from both sides of the plate and apparently the elbow feels fine. Manager Joe Girardi, who was guest on WFAN, said that Beltran is on his way back up to New York and will probably be back in the lineup tomorrow as the designated hitter. Nothing is official but Girardi said he is confident that he can pencil him in for tomorrow. At this point the Yankees desperately need his bat back in the lineup. Along with Mark Teixeira, Beltran will hopefully fill the power void the Yankees have desperately been lacking over the last 15 games.

Yankees made another round of roster moves today, most notably designating pitcher Alfredo Aceves for assignment. The newly acquired lefty Wade LeBlanc has been activated and is in the bullpen tonight. In another move they have optioned Preston Claiborne back to Triple-A Scranton and called up right-handed power arm Jose Ramirez.

The Aceves move is not a big surprise, he hasn’t been too good since being activated back in May. In 19.1 innings Aceves bolstered a 6.52 ERA with 16 strikeouts, but also gave up six home runs in that short time. Claiborne has had a few bright spots, but for the most part has been pretty bad.

Leblanc will be used as the long man, and Ramirez, who is a power arm can give the Yankees multiple innings. He has posted some good numbers in Scranton and has been compared to Adam Warren and Dellin Betances. In seven appearances and 10.2 innings Ramirez is 2-0 with a 0.84 ERA 13K and 1.68 WHIP.

Also playing in those extended spring training games has been catcher Francisco Cervelli, who’s been rehabbing back from a grade 2 right hamstring strain. He has been cleared to resume full baseball activities for a little over a week now, has caught a few innings and played in five extended spring games. He could head oyt on a minor league rehab assignment with Single-A Tampa as early as tomorrow. Cervelli has been on the 60-day disabled list since April 14.