The Yankees announced that they’ve designated right-hander Bruce Billings for assignment to clear a roster spot for fellow righty Chris Leroux, whose contract has been selected from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Additionally, Kelly Johnson has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a left groin strain.
In a brief stint with the Yankees this season, the 28-year-old Billings allowed four runs in four innings. Most of his time has come at Triple-A, where he’s posted a 4.94 ERA with 6.5 K/9 and 2.7 BB/9 in 71 innings for the Rail Riders.
Leroux, 30, also had a short stint with the Bombers earlier in the year, in which he allowed five runs in a pair of innings. The Canadian hurler has posted a 5.08 ERA with a 23-to-10 K/BB ratio in 28 1/3 innings for the Rail Riders this season.
No doubt calling up Leroux is just a precaution because of all the pitchers the Yankees have had to use from their bullpen the past 2 games. He’ll probably only make it in the game if the Yankees are involved in a blowout one way or the other.