The Yankees are calling up outfielder Ben Gamel from Triple-A Scranton, according to multiple reports. He is expected to join the Yankees for the series finale in Baltimore tonight. A friend of Gamel’s actually tipped us off about the call-up on Twitter, so that’s cool. We have #sources.
Over the last two days the Yankees lost both Alex Rodriguez (hamstring) and Brett Gardner (elbow) to injuries. A-Rod has already been placed on the DL, and while the x-rays on Gardner’s elbow came back negative, he may have to sit out a few days until the swelling and soreness subsides. Playing with a two-man bench while Gardner is sidelined is not ideal, obviously.
The Yankees have not officially announced the Gamel call-up but there’s no reason to think the reports are wrong. I’m more interested to see the corresponding move. Are they going to send down a pitcher (Nick Goody? James Pazos?) and get back to a normal seven-man bullpen, or does Gardner’s injury required a DL stint? I hope not. That would really suck.
Gamel, 23, is hitting .286/.346/.363 (109 wRC+) with one homer and seven steals in 23 Triple-A games so far this season. He broke out last year, when he put up a .300/.358/.472 (138 wRC+) batting line with 52 extra-base hits and 13 steals in 129 games with the RailRiders. Two years ago Gamel hit only .261/.308/.340 (80 wRC+) in Double-A, so he’s come on strong the last 18 months or so.
The Yankees selected Gamel in the tenth round of the 2010 draft and he is one of those guys without a standout tool who does a little of everything. He plays like a maniac too. All out all the time. Gamel is a left-handed hitting outfielder like Gardner, and he’s is capable of playing all three outfield spots. How much will he play? Hopefully a lot. The lineup can use a hungry young player with fresh legs.
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