It’s time for a change in New York.
The Yankees announced Saturday night that they have optioned outfielder Clint Frazier and right-handed reliever Ben Heller to their alternate training site.
The team is planning to bring right-handers Nick Nelson and Brooks Kriske up to the active roster in their place.
Nelson and Kriske will bring some new energy to a pitching staff that saw James Paxton work just one-plus inning in Saturday’s loss to the Washington Nationals.
This all means that Frazier’s repeated journeys on and off the big league roster continue.
A onetime top prospect, he has proven to be decent offensively when he’s gotten MLB opportunities (career .254/.308/.463 line in 429 plate appearances).
Following tonight's game, the Yankees optioned OF Clint Frazier and RHP Ben Heller to the Alternate Site.
Prior to tomorrow's game, the Yankees anticipate recalling RHP Brooks Kriske (#82) and RHP Nick Nelson (#79) from the Alternate Site.
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) July 26, 2020
Nonetheless, he hasn’t had an easy time cracking a loaded Yankees outfield.
The 25-year-old has been rumored as a potential trade candidate for some time.
Saturday’s move doesn’t necessarily mean the team has soured on Frazier going into the long-term, but it does show his path will continue to be a rough one for some time, at least.
Meanwhile, Nelson and Kriske will each make their MLB debut if or when they can get into a game.
Each of them posted strong strikeout and run prevention numbers in Double-A last year.
And so it goes.