The Yankees’ roster never stays the same anymore even for a few days. Nonstop injuries for three seasons plus COVID spikes lead to change after change after change.
It was more of the same Sunday even beyond the Yankees knowing that they would recall rookie pitcher Luis Gil from Triple-A to start their 1:05 p.m., game at Yankee Stadium against the Seattle Mariners.
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First baseman Anthony Rizzo testing positive for COVID after Saturday’s game led to further changes.
With Rizzo going on the COVID IL at least for 10 days, the Yankees activated first baseman Luke Voit, who had missed the last 21 games due to left knee inflammation.
Also, reliever Nick Nelson was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to make room for Gil.
Officially, Gil is a COVID replacement player for Rizzo, which continues to preserve the Yankees from using an option for the right-hander. The Dominican joined the Yankees last week under similar circumstances and earned a second start by working six shutout innings facing the Baltimore Orioles in his Major League debut.
With Rizzo on the IL and Voit off, the Yankees still have 17 players shelved.
The first to return likely will be third baseman Gio Urshela, who is eligible to be activated on Wednesday. Urshela was placed on the IL on Aug. 3 retro to Aug. 1 with left hamstring tightness.
Urshela had three at-bats on Saturday when pitcher Corey Kluber threw a three-inning, 43-pitch simulated game at Yankee Stadium.
“He’s good,” Boone said of Urshela. “He was out there (Sunday morning) running bases, doing defensive work. I think there’s a good chance you’ll see him in the lineup Wednesday.”
Luis Severino is making a rehab start with Double-A Somerset on Sunday and will make at least one more next weekend before returning from Tommy John surgery. Kluber is due back in early September from a shoulder issue that has had him sidelined since May.
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Randy Miller may be reached at rmiller@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @RandyJMiller. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here.