The Yankees are expected to recall prospect Tyler Austin on Saturday after placing Alex Rodriguez on unconditional waivers.
Austin was held out of the lineup Friday for Triple-A Scranton, where he is batting .323 with 13 homers and 49 RBI and a 1.051 OPS in 57 games this season since earning a promotion from Double-A Trenton earlier this summer. Austin, a right-handed batter, can play first, third and both corner outfield spots.
CASTRO A STAR-LIN TO A-ROD
Rodriguez already is earning the $27 million Hal Steinbrenner is going to pay him to mentor and encourage younger players in the Yankees’ organization.
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A-Rod said before his Yankees farewell on Friday that he believes “this team can do some special things” if Starlin Castro starts hitting, and the second baseman homered and drove in four runs in the Bombers’ 6-3 win over Tampa Bay at the Stadium.
“If we can get Castro going, this team can do some special things,” A-Rod said. “It can surprise people, for sure.”
Castro ripped a two-run single against righty Chris Archer in the fourth and clobbered a full-count pitch to center for a two-run blast in the sixth, his 13th of the season.
Rodriguez also credited Steinbrenner for insisting the Yankees are still in the race for an AL wild-card spot.
“I have a lot of faith in our group. Give those guys a lot of credit; we’ve played hard down the stretch and a lot of things have happened,” Rodriguez said.
SEVVY’S UP
Nathan Eovaldi landed on the disabled list Friday with a right elbow tendon injury after pitching just one inning Wednesday in Boston. He is awaiting a second opinion after undergoing an MRI and getting examined Thursday by team doctor Christopher Ahmad.
Luis Severino had been optioned to Scranton, but he was called back up to start Sunday against the Rays. The Yanks also need a starter for Monday against Toronto; Chad Green could be recalled from, with Luis Cessa another possibility.
