BOSTON -- Yankees left-hander J.A. Happ was placed on the 10-day disabled list with hand, foot and mouth disease on Thursday, retroactive to Monday. Manager Aaron Boone said that while Happ is feeling better, he is still experiencing symptoms of the disease, so he is not ready to return.
"[He] wasn't probably going to legitimately be able to be around our team until it completely runs its course," Boone said. "And he's not at that point yet. So hopefully, it's a situation that it is just one start and he's able to slot back in his next go-round."
Happ, who was acquired in a trade with the Blue Jays prior to the non-waiver Trade Deadline, will miss his scheduled start on Saturday against the Red Sox, which would have been his second start for New York. The Yankees have not decided who will replace him. Boone said Luis Cessa, who the Yankees called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday, is a candidate.
But Cessa could be used out of the bullpen on Thursday and Friday, and if the Yankees do use him prior to Saturday, Boone said he will turn to someone else. He did not say who he was considering.
"Talking about a lot of guys internally ... but we haven't decided on anything in that regard yet," Boone said.
Happ is the second Major League pitcher to contract hand, foot and mouth disease, along with the Mets' Noah Syndergaard. Syndergaard was placed on the 10-day DL on July 23 after likely catching the virus from an appearance at a baseball camp for kids during the All-Star break, and he returned Wednesday.
Happ, 35, tossed six innings against the Royals in his Yankees debut Sunday, giving up one run on three hits and one walk while striking out two. In 20 starts for Toronto prior to the trade, he posted a 4.18 ERA.