Young Yankees Reliever Ben Heller Says He'll Be Promoted for Next Series in Detroit

Yet another promising arm is set to join the bullpen of the leaders of the AL East.

New York Yankees reliever Ben Heller, who has been recovering from Tommy John surgery for almost two years, revealed that he was told he'll be promoted for the team's next series in Detroit on Tuesday, joining the team in the Fenway Park clubhouse a few days early.

Heller, who came over from the Indians as part of the Andrew Miller trade, showed plenty of promise in relief for the Yankees back in 2017, pitching to the tune of a 0.82 ERA in 11 innings of work, striking out nine batters in the process. But at the outset of the 2018 season, it was revealed that he needed Tommy John surgery on his right arm.

Since then, he's been slowly but surely working his way back towards the majors. In 13.2 minor league innings this year, he's managed an impressive 0.66 ERA and has walked just four batters against 15 strikeouts.

He's pitched well enough to earn himself a spot on the expanded roster this September. If he can impress down the stretch for the Yankees, he might even make his way into the postseason. After all, Octobers past have proven just how invaluable reliable late-inning arms can be.

Needless to say, it's good to see that Heller has made it back. Regardless of what happens, he's put himself in a position to overcome an injury that has aborted the careers of so many promising young pitchers.