Kelley returns from DL; Yanks reacquire Huff

SEATTLE -- The Yankees' bullpen, a strength of their roster all season long, received reinforcements on Wednesday as right-hander Shawn Kelley was activated from the disabled list and left-hander David Huff was acquired from the Giants.

Kelley has not pitched in a big league game since May 6 due to a lumbar spine strain, but had no further issues in a pair of Minor League rehab assignments. Huff, who was with the Yankees last season, was obtained in exchange for cash considerations.

To create room for Kelley on the active roster, right-hander Matt Daley was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Manager Joe Girardi said that they chose to keep right-hander Jose Ramirez instead of Daley because Ramirez offers more distance.

Left-hander Wade LeBlanc was designated for assignment to clear space for Huff, who was 1-0 with a 6.30 ERA in 16 appearances for San Francisco this season and will be used as a multi-inning reliever who can offer about 45 pitches.

"He did a good job for us last year -- he really did, so he's back," Girardi said. "We're familiar with him."

Kelley opened the season as the Yankees' primary eighth-inning relief option and will rejoin that mix, which has been handled more recently by Dellin Betances and Adam Warren.

"Obviously, there's nobody in this game who's better at coming in as the fireman like Dellin is, so I don't think anything is going to change about that," Kelley said.

Girardi's plan is to use them all for important innings in getting the ball to closer David Robertson.

"It just gives me more versatility; gives me another late-inning guy with the two that we've had, that we've been using a lot," Girardi said. "I think all these guys are interchangeable. It gives us more depth."