Yankees MILB 9/20: Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz’s Scranton Debut
Notes:
Trade analysis links:
Jose Caballero/Camilo Doval (link)
David Bednar/Jake Bird (link)
Ryan McMahon (link)
Amed Rosario (link)
Austin Slater (link)
Updated look at the trade deadline.
The Yankees promoted RHP Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz to Scranton for today’s start.
Rodriguez-Cruz was the likely Friday night starter if the Somerset-Binghamton series went to a deciding third game. It didn’t, so they decided to give him a Triple-A start instead.
Scranton (86-60; 48-26 in second half) (Lost to Buffalo, 4-2)
This is Scranton’s first playoff appearance since 2019, and they haven’t won the International League Championship since 2016 (they also won the overall Triple-A Championship that season). They will take on Jacksonville in a 3-game series starting Tuesday. Because they need to complete the series as quickly as possible (so they can play the Triple-A Championship Game), they play on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, with all games in Jacksonville. The PCL Championship Series will be between Tacoma and Las Vegas.
CF Duke Ellis: 1-for-3, 2 R, 2 SB (36), 2 BB, K
The day after clinching, Spencer Jones got the day off. If he plays tomorrow, he will need two stolen bases to complete a 30/30 campaign. As for Ellis, before the Yankees made a bunch of moves at the deadline, there was a small (OK, minuscule) chance they would carry him at some point in the postseason (if you don’t recall, they rostered him during the Royals series last year).
2B Jose Rojas: 0-for-5, K
Jorbit Vivas also received a day off.
DH J.C. Escarra: 3-for-4, 2 RBI, K
Escarra follows up a 4-hit night with a 3-hit afternoon.
LF Brennen Davis: 0-for-3, HBP, 2 K
After an insane start, Davis has crashed (5-for-42 without a home run in September). His slump started after hitting five home runs in five games between August 23rd and August 29th. Baseball!
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-3, HBP
3B Jeimer Candelario: 1-for-3, CS (1), 2 K
RF Bryan De La Cruz: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
C Omar Martinez: 0-for-3, 2 K
It’s going to be interesting to see how the Yankees approach their catching depth in 2026. Martinez hasn’t hit well since being promoted. A lot depends on how they view Ben Rice for 2026 (everyday first baseman, or more like his role in 2025?)
SS Andrew Velazquez: 0-for-4, 2 K
RHP Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz: (L, 0-1) 5 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
The rehabbing Anthony Santander touched him up for a 2-run double in the 5th. Learning experience. By receiving another regular-season start, Rodriguez-Cruz had a chance to overtake Jonah Tong (NYM) for the minor league strikeout title. It wasn’t meant to be, as he falls three strikeouts short (179-176). Rodriguez-Cruz’s final numbers: 27 games (26 starts), 11-8, 2.58 ERA (150 IP, 104 H, 52 R, 43 ER, 3 HR (!), 57 BB, 176 K). If you want the most basic recipe for success, groundballs (54.8% entering today), limiting home runs, and strikeouts are a good start.
LHP Brent Headrick: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
The Yankees pitchers who will likely be standing by in case of emergency include Headrick and Yerry De los Santos. I doubt Jake Bird would be in the conversation. First things first, though: Get to the playoffs. The Cleveland Guardians are causing too much anxiety amongst the Wild Card contenders.
RHP Harrison Cohen: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
When you are likely on the Rule 5 bubble, the best you can do is perform. Cohen did that in 2025.
RHP Scott Effross: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Somerset (73-65; 38-31 in the second half; lost in the first round of the playoffs)
Their season is over.
Hudson Valley (79-50; 41-24 in the second half)
Their season is over.
Tampa (63-63; 27-34 in the second half)
Their season is over.
FCL (28-30)
Their season is over.
DSL Yankees (24-32)
Their season is over.
DSL Bombers (31-25)
Their season is over.