TAMPA — While the Yankees haven’t shown they can compete for a division title this season, they made a trade Monday that indicates that could change.
They gave up a pair of prospects in exchange for Pittsburgh right-hander Clay Holmes to bolster a bullpen that was once one of the best in the majors, but has sprung more than a few leaks of late.
Holmes, 28, appeared in 44 games for the Pirates this season and had a 4.93 ERA and a WHIP of 1.429 in 42 innings.
He’s been vastly more effective against right-handed hitters, holding them to a .471 OPS, while lefty batters have a .926 OPS versus Holmes this season.
Chad Green and Jonathan Loaisiga have both had multiple disastrous outings from the right side this season.
To acquire Holmes, the Yankees gave up Hoy Park, 25, who recently made his major league debut with the Yankees, while the team was dealing with a COVID outbreak. He appeared in one game.
Park impressed at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre prior to the callup, with an OPS of 1.042 in 223 plate appearances and an ability to play in the middle of the infield and the outfield.
The 23-year-old Castillo was hitting well with Double-A Somerset, with an OPS of .850 in 249 plate appearances. Castillo played second, third and shortstop at Somerset.
Both Park and Castillo signed as international free agents in 2014 and spent their entire careers in the Yankees system.
Remember when Deivi Garcia and Clarke Schmidt were supposed to provide rotational depth — if not more — for the Yankees this season?
As Garcia continues to languish with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre with a 6.88 ERA in 53 ¹/₃ innings, Schmidt took a step forward in perhaps finally beginning his season on Monday.
The right-hander pitched three scoreless innings for the Yankees’ Florida Complex League team, shutting down the team from the Tigers — made up of very young minor leaguers.
It was the 25-year-old’s first time pitching in a game this season since suffering a strained elbow early in spring training that was only supposed to sideline him for a few weeks. But a few weeks turned into a few months and his 30-day rehab assignment began Monday.
Schmidt hit 95 mph and said his arm “felt good.” He is hopeful he’ll be able to get back to The Bronx soon — and in time to give a jolt to a team that has dealt with numerous pitching injuries.
“I look at [the Yankees] and they could use an arm right now,’’ Schmidt said. “You almost feel like you let the team down.”
He could make his next rehab start with Low-A Tampa and is eyeing a return to the majors.
“I’ll help any way I can, whether it’s in the pen or starting,’’ Schmidt said. “All I have to do is stay healthy. This was a huge stepping stone. My stuff’s been really good in live BPs, but to get in a live game with adrenaline to see how I responded, I’m very happy. I don’t feel anything holding me back when I’m out on the mound. I’m itching to get back.”