Yankees Continue to Experiment With the Roster and Promote Breyvic Valera
By Michael Luciano
Just before the All-Star Break, the Yankees are trying out one more roster shuffle in order to get All-Star infielders DJ LeMahieu and Gleyber Torres some much-needed rest.
Before today's game against the Tampa Bay Rays, the Yankees called up infielder Breyvic Valera, whom they claimed off of waivers in May.
Prior to today’s game, the Yankees recalled INF Breyvic Valera (#36) from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) July 7, 2019
Valera was hitting .348 with 9 home runs and 31 RBI for the Yankees' Triple-A team in Scranton. The development of Valera's bat is a welcome surprise for the Yanks, as the 27-year-old managed just a .216 average in 74 at bats with the Dodgers, Orioles, and Cardinals.
Valera waisted no time making his presence felt, slapping his first hit in a Yankees uniform to right field against All-Star pitcher Charlie Morton.
First base hit for Breyvic Valera as a Yankee#PinStripePride #Yankees pic.twitter.com/zAkchtymoL
— Dillard Barnhart (@BarnHasSpoken) July 7, 2019
There must be something in the water at River Avenue. if you are a light-hitting middle infielder, head to the Yankees and you'll be guaranteed a .300 batting average.