BOSTON – Switch-hitting outfielder Greg Allen and lefty-hitting catcher Rob Brantly have been added to the Yankees’ 26-man roster for Tuesday night’s elimination AL wild card game against the Red Sox.
To clear roster room, the Yankees designated for assignment left-hander Andrew Heaney and right-hander Brody Koerner.
Koerner had been recently added after first baseman Luke Voit (left knee inflammation) was transferred to the 60-day injured list, creating additional roster flexibility heading into postseason.
First pitch at Fenway Park is 8:08 p.m., with Yankees’ ace Gerrit Cole opposing Boston right-hander Nathan Eovaldi.
Rosters may be altered after each MLB playoff series. Here is the complete Yankees’ 26-man wild card roster:
Pitchers (12)
Gerrit Cole, RHP
Luis Severino, RHP
Jonathan Loaisiga, RHP
Chad Green, RHP
Clay Holmes, RHP
Michael King, RHP
Domingo German, RHP
Lucas Luetge, LHP
Wandy Peralta, LHP
Joely Rodriguez, LHP
Nestor Cortes, LHP
Aroldis Chapman, LHP
Analysis: Starters Corey Kluber, Jordan Montgomery and Jameson Taillon are not needed in this one-game scenario.
Manager Aaron Boone has plenty of fresh arms and match-up possibilities at his disposal, along with multi-inning relievers should Cole require an early exit.
Infielders (6)
Anthony Rizzo, 1B (Bats left)
Gleyber Torres, 2B-SS (Bats right)
Gio Urshela, 3B-SS (Bats right)
Tyler Wade, 3B-SS-2B-OF (Bats left)
Andrew Velazquez, SS (Bats switch)
Rougned Odor, 2B-3B (Bats left)
Anaylsis: Boone could start Odor, Wade or Velazquez at either shortstop or third base in the absence of DJ LeMahieu, who could be replaced in the leadoff spot by Torres.
Urshela is good to go after his frightening, spectacular catch in Sunday’s game, tumbling into the visiting dugout at Yankee Stadium and suffering a bruised left thigh.
Catchers (3)
Gary Sanchez (Bats right)
Kyle Higashioka (Bats right)
Rob Brantly (Bats left)
Analysis: The lefty-hitting Brantly mostly provides bench depth. He also gives Boone the option of using Sanchez as a designated hitter, but the manager seems inclined to have Sanchez as a pinch-hit weapon off the bench.
Outfielders (5)
Aaron Judge (Bats right)
Giancarlo Stanton (Bats right)
Brett Gardner (Bats left)
Joey Gallo (Bats left)
Greg Allen (Bats switch)
Analysis: The veteran Allen provided a spark defensively, at the plate and on the bases during his August call-up, at a time when the Yankees began turning their fortunes around.
He’s here for bench depth, as a pinch-running option (along with Wade) and a defensive replacement if needed. However, Stanton is likely to be the DH on Tuesday.
Pete Caldera is the Yankees beat writer for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to all Yankees analysis, news, trades and more, please subscribe today and download our app.
Email: [email protected] Twitter: @pcaldera