The Mets have claimed right-hander Chris Schwinden off waivers from the Yankees, the team announced. The Bombers claimed him from the Indians last week then designated him for assignment when they claimed Darnell McDonald off waivers from the Red Sox yesterday. Schwinden has gone full circle in the last month, going from the Mets to the Blue Jays, the Blue Jays to the Indians, the Indians to the Yankees, and the Yankees back to the Mets, all on waiver claims. Hopefully he can catch his breath a bit now.
Update: Yankees claim Darnell McDonald off waivers from Red Sox
The Yankees have claimed Darnell McDonald off waivers from the Red Sox, who cut him last weekend. McDonald first broke the news on his Twitter feed and the team has since confirmed the move. He’ll will join the Yankees in Fenway Park on Friday and that’s when the team will make the corresponding 25-man roster move. To make room on the 40-man roster, the recently claimed Chris Schwinden was designated for assignment.
McDonald, 33, has hit just .214/.309/.369 in 99 plate appearances for the Red Sox this year but over the last three seasons he’s hit a respectable .252/.323/.413. He does most of his damage against southpaws, owning a .277/.345/.441 batting line against left-handers in his career. McDonald can play all three outfield spots well enough and is out of options, meaning he can’t be sent to the minors without first clearing waivers.
The Yankees can send David Phelps down following today’s start since CC Sabathia is coming back after the All-Star break, which means they’d have a five-man bench for the Red Sox series. It’s worth noting that Boston is scheduled to start three left-handed pitchers — Jon Lester, Franklin Morales, and Felix Doubront — this weekend. Nice and sneaky little move if they picked up McDonald just for that series.
Yankees claim Chris Schwinden off waivers, cut Danny Farquhar
The Yankees have claimed right-hander Chris Schwinden off waivers from the Indians and assigned him to Triple-A Empire State, the team announced. Fellow right-hander and the recently claimed Danny Farquhar was designated for assignment to clear a 40-man roster spot. He hadn’t even appeared in a game yet.
Schwinden, 25, owns a 6.98 ERA (5.02 FIP) in 29.2 career big league innings, all coming with the Mets this year and last. His career Triple-A performance — 4.02 ERA (3.77 FIP) in 212.2 IP — is slightly more encouraging. Baseball America ranked Schwinden as the 24th best prospect in the Mets’ system before the season, saying he “fits best as a No. 5 starter whose pitchability always will outstrip his raw stuff.” With Adam Warren in the show and Dellin Betances in Double-A, the Yankees needed to replenish some pitching depth in Triple-A.