BOSTON — David Robertson was one of several players claimed on waivers by the Yankees following the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.
However, the claim didn’t come close to bringing the former Yankees closer, who is in the same role with the White Sox, back to The Bronx and strengthen the Yankees’ strongest unit.
When the White Sox pulled Robertson back off waivers that ended any chance they were going to deal him to the Yankees, whose partial motivation for claiming Robertson was to keep him away from the Blue Jays and Astros.
Plus, industry sources predicted the White Sox weren’t going to give away their closer, who is due $36 million across the next three season and is currently completing the first leg of the four-year, $46 million deal he signed last winter to leave the Yankees.
Citing MLB policy, GM Brian Cashman refused to specifically address the Robertson issue but did say that the Yankees’ didn’t come close to making a deal after July 31.
Whenever the Yankees have been able to give Masahiro Tanaka an extra day of rest between starts they have done it. However, when the right-hander takes the mound Wednesday against the Red Sox, he will be working on four days’ rest for the third time instead of five.
“When we can we have shown there is a reason we have tried to give him rest,’’ Cashman said before the Yankees fell 4-3 to the Red Sox. “And he is better with it.’’
CC Sabathia threw a bullpen session Monday, is scheduled to repeat that Wednesday and hopes to face batters Friday. Sabathia has been on the DL with an inflamed right knee since Aug. 24. If Sabathia returns it will be as a starter.
“We will be in a position to put him back in the rotation,’’ Cashman said.
Top catching prospect Gary Sanchez won’t be among the eight players promoted Tuesday when the rosters swell from 25 because he is on the Triple-A disabled list with a hamstring injury.
Right-handers Andrew Bailey, Caleb Cotham, lefty James Pazos, infielders Jose Pirela, Dustin Ackley and Rob Refsnyder and catcher Austin Romine will all join the club Tuesday.
Ackley was on a minor league rehab assignment.
If Bailey gets into a game it will be the Wagner College product’s first major league tilt since 2013 when he was with the Red Sox due to complicated shoulder surgery.
Relievers Nick Goody and Nick Rumbelow will likely be added when their 10-day wait period expires.