Yankees add three players to Major League roster; Whitley claimed by Tampa Bay

November 20, 2015

The New York Yankees today announced that they have added RHP Johnny Barbato, RHP Rookie Davis and OF Ben Gamel to the Major League roster. The Yankees also announced that RHP Chase Whitley has been claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Rays.

Barbato, 23, split the 2015 season between Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, combining to go 6-2 with three saves and a 2.67 ERA (67.1IP, 55H, 20ER, 25BB, 70K) in 40 relief appearances. In 14 games for the RailRiders, he posted a 4-0 record, three saves and a 0.36 ERA (25.0IP, 13H, 1ER, 11BB, 26K). Barbato (pronounced "bahr-BAY-toh") was acquired by the Yankees from San Diego in exchange for RHP Shawn Kelley on December 29, 2014. He was originally selected by the Padres in the sixth round of the 2010 First-Year Player Draft.

Davis, 22, combined with Single-A Tampa and Double-A Trenton to go 8-7 with a 3.86 ERA (130.2IP, 132H, 67R/56ER, 26BB, 129K) in 25 games (24 starts) in 2015, finishing second among Yankees minor league pitchers in strikeouts. Davis was selected by the Yankees in the 14th round of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft.

Gamel, 23, spent the 2015 season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, batting .300 (150-for-500) with 77R, 28 doubles, 14 triples, 10HR, 64RBI, 46BB and 13SB in 129 games. He was named the 2015 International League "Rookie of the Year" after leading the league in triples and ranking second in slugging percentage (.472). The left-handed hitter was selected by the Yankees in the 10th round of the 2010 First-Year Player Draft.

Whitley, 26, was selected by the Yankees in the 15th round of the 2010 First-Year Player Draft. He went 5-5 with a 5.02 ERA (95.0IP, 114H, 53ER, 23BB, 76K) in 28 games (16 starts) for the Yankees from 2014-15. Whitley underwent "Tommy John" surgery on his right elbow on May 19, 2015.