Yankees add Rogers to shore up bullpen

HOUSTON -- The Yankees selected right-hander Esmil Rogers to their active roster prior to Sunday's series finale against the Astros at Minute Maid Park, seeking need of some length for what manager Joe Girardi sees as a short bullpen.

The Yankees had used Dellin Betances, Chasen Shreve and Justin Wilson in consecutive games, making them unavailable for Sunday's 3-1 loss. Girardi said that he also did not consider Bryan Mitchell to be available.

With the Yankees carrying six starters, that left Chris Capuano, Nick Rumbelow and Rogers standing as the available bullpen options behind right-hander Michael Pineda, who helped out by tossing the Yanks' second complete game of the season.

"It helps our bullpen, obviously, but the bottom line is we wanted to win the game -- no matter how we had to use Michael or the bullpen," Girardi said. "We just didn't."

Rogers was 1-1 with a 6.27 ERA in 18 appearances for New York earlier this season. In corresponding moves, the Yankees optioned infielder Gregorio Petit to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and transferred outfielder Slade Heathcott to the 60-day disabled list.

Girardi has said that he does not anticipate carrying six starters past the upcoming series against the Angels, but he has refused to tip his hand further. Adam Warren is scheduled to start on Wednesday in Anaheim but has been guaranteed nothing further.