TAMPA — Chase Hampton is hurting as soon as once more.
Aaron Boone stated the Yankees pitching prospect complained about “elbow stuff” after throwing a bullpen on Friday. It seems Hampton has a flexor pressure and “something going on” along with his ulnar collateral ligament, Boone stated.
The best-handed Hampton was again in New York for additional testing on Wednesday. Boone hoped to know extra within the subsequent 24-48 hours.
“Him just having an uneven season last year with some injury [issues], I know he’s pretty bummed about that,” Boone stated. “But we’ll see what we have and try and get it right.”
Hampton, 23, is taken into account the Yankees’ seventh-best prospect and third-best pitching farmhand, in response to Baseball America. Ben Hess and Bryce Cunningham, the Yankees’ first two picks of the 2024 draft, rank forward of Hampton.
As Boone alluded to, Hampton struggled with well being final season. He suffered what the Yankees initially thought was a UCL harm early within the season. It was later recognized as a flexor pressure.
Hampton additionally handled a groin harm. The aches restricted him to seven begins. He recorded a 2.41 ERA between Rookie Ball, Single-A and Double-A.
A sixth-round select of Texas Tech in 2022, Hampton was a consensus top-100 prospect coming into the 2024 season. He has totaled 27 begins, 125.1 innings and a 3.45 ERA over two skilled seasons.
Hampton was invited to his first huge league camp final season, and he was regarded as younger rotation depth on the time. He entered this spring in comparable standing, however his newest accidents may get in the way in which as soon as once more.
PEREIRA ONLY DH’ING
Boone stated that Everson Pereira, coming off UCL surgical procedure, gained’t play the sphere till mid-March. The outfielder goes to DH till then, together with an look in Friday’s spring coaching opener in opposition to the Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Area.
“His throwing program is going well,” Boone stated, “but not quite ready yet.”
Pereira, the Yankees’ Twenty fifth-best prospect, debuted in 2023. He solely hit .151 and didn’t play within the majors final season earlier than getting damage after 40 video games at Triple-A.
The 23-year-old Pereira has put up strong numbers over 75 video games at Triple-A, hitting .287/.365/.530 with 18 residence runs and 60 RBI.
Pereira entered camp as a little bit of an afterthought, however Boone made him sound larger on the depth chart than some would possibly anticipate. Giancarlo Stanton’s tennis elbows may additionally open lanes for youthful hitters like Pereira and Ben Rice.
“Maybe he’s not necessarily blocked. Maybe there is a role that he carves out for himself. He really impacts the baseball. He’s a good defender in the outfield,” Boone stated of Pereira. “He’s a guy that I could very much see in the mix at some point, especially being a right-handed bat and good two-way player.
“He’s someone I’ll be watching closely.”
Boone added that Pereira is in “terrific shape” after altering his physique composition.
NO TIMELINE FOR STANTON
Boone stated that there is no such thing as a present timeline for Stanton to renew baseball actions. The supervisor famous that the DH has undergone MRIs, and Boone beforehand stated Stanton hasn’t wanted any injections or procedures so far.
Boone and Stanton have additionally stated it’s too quickly to know if Stanton, who has an extended harm historical past, will miss Opening Day.
STROMAN GETS FIRST START
Marcus Stroman, who missed the Yankees’ first two official exercises for pitchers and catchers, will begin the Yankees’ spring opener on Friday, Boone introduced.
The righty hasn’t confronted stay hitters but, however Boone stated Stroman’s bullpens have been “intense.” He’ll solely throw one inning on Friday.
Boone stated tabbing Stroman for the exhibition opener got here right down to scheduling as regards to the Yankees’ pitching workers. Stroman, 33, has been the topic of commerce rumors for the reason that offseason started, and he seems to be the odd man out of the Yankees’ rotation ought to their starters make it via spring coaching wholesome.
Upon returning to camp, Stroman stated that he wouldn’t pitch within the bullpen.
