Yankees recall RHP Pinder from Triple-A
Right-hander De La Cruz sent to Double-A; Davies clears waives, sent to Minors
BALTIMORE -- The revolving spot in the back of the Yankees' bullpen has landed on right-hander Branden Pinder, who was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre prior to Wednesday's game against the Orioles.
Pinder, 26, had appeared in two games for the RailRiders, pitching three scoreless innings. He was 3-0 with a 2.06 ERA in 29 games (four starts) at three levels in the Yankees' farm system last season and pitched with the big club this past spring.
In a corresponding move, the Yankees optioned right-hander Joel De La Cruz to Double-A Trenton. De La Cruz was in the bullpen for the first two games in Baltimore, but did not appear.
The Yanks have been shuffling their bullpen as long reliever Esmil Rogers recovers from throwing 81 pitches over 4 2/3 innings in a 19-inning loss to the Red Sox on April 10.
Left-hander Chasen Shreve was sent down the next day, replaced by left-hander Matt Tracy, who appeared and was then sent down for right-hander Kyle Davies. Designated for assignment one day after making his first big league appearance since 2011, Davies cleared waivers and was optioned to Triple-A on Wednesday.
"The fact that we have Esmil back at full strength, our bullpen is pretty much at full strength now," manager Joe Girardi said.