Yankees recall Mitchell, Pirela among moves

NEW YORK -- Another day, another pair of new faces at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees continued to filter players on and off of the big league roster Tuesday, recalling right-hander Bryan Mitchell and infielder Jose Pirela from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

• Cast your Esurance All-Star ballot for #ASGWorthy players

Stephen Drew was placed on the paternity list and Ramon Flores was optioned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre as part of the moves.

Mitchell, who had been called up and subsequently optioned over the weekend, will slot into an ever-rotating stable of bullpen arms. He threw three innings and allowed one run against the Tigers on Saturday.

"It gives us an extra long guy in case we need it in the next couple of days," manager Joe Girardi said.

Video: NYY@DET: Mitchell gets V. Martinez for sixth K

Pirela figures to be a short-term replacement for Drew, who is allowed to miss one to three games on paternity leave. Pirela has played 18 games at second base with the Yankees this season, batting .256. He hit his first Major League home run in his last stint with the club, which ended June 10.

Flores was called up two days ago as a fill-in for the injured Mason Williams. Flores played seven innings Saturday and was batting .250 in 10 games this season.

The reasoning behind the Yankees' shuffling of bullpen arms is twofold: the club's constant search for a right-hander in the middle innings, and to keep fresh arms in a bullpen taxed by short outings from the starting pitchers.

Girardi said Monday the club has been rotating through relievers to protect individual pitchers' arms.