The Yankees’ top pitching prospect is finally on his way to The Bronx.
Justus Sheffield will join the Yankees’ bullpen on Tuesday, according to a source.
The 22-year-old lefty gave up three unearned runs in one inning Saturday for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in the RailRiders’ season-ending loss in the Governor’s Cup.
Sheffield had mixed results after being moved to the bullpen late in the season. He allowed four earned runs in 12 ¹/₃ innings after the move to the pen, though the Yankees still see his long-term future as a starter.
Domingo German was also moved up to the majors on Saturday.
A more important addition to the relief corps will be Aroldis Chapman, who threw a 26-pitch bullpen session Saturday and experienced no issues with the left knee tendinitis that has plagued him for much of the season.
After the second bullpen session, Chapman is slated to pitch a simulated game, likely Monday, and if that goes well, manger Aaron Boone is confident the closer will be able to come off the disabled list and rejoin the bullpen.
“We’ll see how he bounces back and everything’s fine and if that sim game goes well, he should be off and running,’’ Boone said.
Chapman last pitched on Aug. 21 in Miami and appeared in just five games that month.
Tommy Kahnle’s disastrous 2018 continued when he gave up three runs in just two-thirds of an inning in Saturday’s 8-7 loss to the Blue Jays.
He has been scored upon in three of his past four outings after spending much of the season in Triple-A. A year ago, the right-hander was a key part of the bullpen.
Didi Gregorius broke his own record for homers in a season by a Yankees shortstop by hitting two Saturday. He has 26 on the season and is coming back into form after being sidelined with a bruised heel.
“It’s still there,’’ Gregorius said of the discomfort. “But I don’t think about it when I’m playing.”
Gary Sanchez has had a nightmarish season, having been sidelined twice by a groin injury and stunningly unproductive when he has been on the field.
He entered Saturday with a pair of three-hit games in his previous four games, but he went hitless in the Yankees loss, including a key strikeout in the eighth with the tying run on second.
“I think it’s been a challenging year for him, no question about it,’’ Boone said before the game. “But especially for a young player or [one that is] in the prime of your career, when you go through adversity, it’s OK. It’s part of it. The biggest thing is to try sand learn and grow from it. He’s better for having gone through it. That’s my hope and belief with Gary.’’
The Yankees could use his power right now.
“I think he’s positioned well to have a big impact for us down the stretch,’’ said Boone, pointing to some of the hard luck the catcher has hit into. “Hopefully we’re starting to see him get comfortable.’’
Neil Walker started at third and moved to right field later in the game. Boone said he wanted to get Miguel Andujar some rest, as well as keep Walker “relevant.” It was Walker’s fourth game started since Sept. 4 and he entered Saturday just 6-for-42 with one extra-base hit in his previous 15 games.
“We want to get him as many regular at-bats as we can,’’ Boone said of Walker.
Walker made a throwing error at third, while Andujar pinch-hit for Brett Gardner in the sixth and walked. He later hit a grand slam in the seventh.