Eight rookies on Yanks' Wild Card roster
NEW YORK -- The Yankees have announced their roster for Tuesday's game against the Astros, mixing a few surprise splashes of youth into the mix of expected veteran locks.
Rookie left-hander James Pazos, right-hander Bryan Mitchell catcher Gary Sanchez, outfielders Rico Noel and Slade Heathcott all appeared on the roster submitted to Major League Baseball by manager Joe Girardi on Tuesday morning. Rosters for the Wild Card Game presented by Budweiser were due at 10 a.m. ET. Game time is 8 p.m. ET (ESPN).
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The Yankees will carry nine pitchers, including Tuesday's starter, right-hander Masahiro Tanaka. Dellin Betances, Andrew Miller, Mitchell, Ivan Nova, Pazos, Luis Severino, Adam Warren and Justin Wilson are also active.
Girardi elected to carry three catchers: Brian McCann, John Ryan Murphy and Sanchez, a 22-year-old who went hitless in two September at-bats.
New York will carry seven infielders: Dustin Ackley, Greg Bird, Didi Gregorius, Chase Headley, Rob Refsnyder, Alex Rodriguez (who has been a designated hitter since May) and Brendan Ryan.
In the outfield, the Yankees will likely save Heathcott and Noel for late-inning pinch-running opportunities. They will have six outfielders in all, with Carlos Beltran, Jacoby Ellsbury, Brett Gardner and Chris Young also on the roster. A September callup, Noel received just two plate appearances with the Yankees, but he stole five bases in seven attempts.
Should the Yankees advance to the American League Division Series against the Royals, the roster can and will be changed.
PITCHERS (9)
Dellin Betances
Andrew Miller
Bryan Mitchell
Ivan Nova
James Pazos
Luis Severino
Masahiro Tanaka
Adam Warren
Justin Wilson
CATCHERS (3)
Brian McCann
John Ryan Murphy
Gary Sanchez
INFIELDERS (7)
Dustin Ackley
Greg Bird
Didi Gregorius
Chase Headley
Rob Refsnyder
Alex Rodriguez
Brendan Ryan
OUTFIELDERS (6)
Carlos Beltran
Jacoby Ellsbury
Brett Gardner
Slade Heathcott
Rico Noel
Chris Young