Outfielder Billy McKinney getting second chance with Yankees
Yankees Call Up Outfielder Billy McKinney to Fill Aaron Judge’s Spot on Roster
Following Aaron Judge’s injury, the New York Yankees have called up outfielder Billy McKinney to fill his spot on the roster. McKinney had not previously been on the team’s 40-man roster this season.
According to manager Aaron Boone, McKinney was chosen due to his “defensive flexibility” and impressive performance over the past month and a half. McKinney has hit nine home runs in 160 plate appearances with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and has played all three outfield positions and first base.
McKinney was part of the 2016 trade that brought Gleyber Torres and Adam Warren to the Yankees from the Cubs for Aroldis Chapman. He played his first two major league games with the Yankees in 2018 but was injured and wound up on the injured list. Since then, he has played for the Blue Jays, Brewers, Mets, Dodgers, and Athletics.
To make room for McKinney on the 40-man roster, righty Ryan Weber was moved to the 60-day injured list due to a UCL strain.
FAQs:
Who is Billy McKinney?
Billy McKinney is an outfielder who was called up by the New York Yankees to fill Aaron Judge’s spot on the roster. He has previously played for the Blue Jays, Brewers, Mets, Dodgers, and Athletics.
Why was McKinney chosen?
According to manager Aaron Boone, McKinney was chosen due to his “defensive flexibility” and strong performance over the past month and a half.
Who had previously been on the 40-man roster in McKinney’s place?
Franchy Cordero had previously been on the 40-man roster but was not chosen by the team. Estevan Florial was not on the 40-man roster.
Who was moved to make room for McKinney on the 40-man roster?
Ryan Weber, a righty, was moved to the 60-day injured list due to a UCL strain.
Yankees give outfielder Billy McKinney a second opportunity
The New York Yankees have called up outfielder Billy McKinney, who was not previously on their 40-man roster this season, following Aaron Judge’s recent injury. McKinney, who made his major league debut with the club in 2018, was chosen over outfielders Franchy Cordero and Estevan Florial, and will join the Yankees after hitting nine home runs in 160 plate appearances with an .899 OPS with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre while playing all three outfield positions and first base. Manager Aaron Boone cited McKinney’s defensive flexibility and recent form as key reasons behind his selection.
McKinney was initially part of the 2016 trade that also saw Gleyber Torres and Adam Warren move from the Chicago Cubs to the Yankees for Aroldis Chapman. Following his brief stint with the team, McKinney was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays as part of a deal that brought J.A. Happ to New York. The 28-year-old lefty swinger has since played with various teams, including the Brewers, Mets, Dodgers, and Athletics.
To make room for McKinney on the 40-man roster, the Yankees moved Ryan Weber to the 60-day injured list. Weber, a righty, is dealing with a UCL strain and is unsure whether he will require surgery or rehab.
Boone explained that without Judge, the team’s offensive strategy will involve more mixing and matching and will be more matchup-dependent. He also noted that the Yankees have Willie Calhoun and Jake Bauers as fringe, lefty-hitting outfielders.
Weber, who has frequently been designated for assignment and brought back by the Yankees, had established himself as a multi-inning reliever before his recent injury. He pitched seven innings and allowed two runs in his past three outings. However, he remains positive and sees this setback as unfortunate timing rather than a reflection of his skills.