A-Rod returns to lineup; Yankees add two fresh relievers

A-Rod returns to lineup; Yankees add two fresh relievers
THE LOHUD YANKEES BLOG
Chad Jennings, cjennings@lohud.com 4:14 p.m. EDT August 11, 2016
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New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez high-fives teammates in the dugout after scoring on a sacrifice groundout by Didi Gregorius in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles in Baltimore, Saturday, June 4, 2016. (Photo: Patrick Semansky, AP)
Three key pieces of information heading into tonight's game:

Alex Rodriguez is indeed back in the lineup as the Yankees' designated hitter.
There's no word yet on Nathan Eovaldi's status after yesterday's elbow injury.
Two relievers have been called up to fill the depleted bullpen.
The quick version of what's going on:

The lineup

This is Rodriguez's next-to-last game with the Yankees, and he's in the lineup as the cleanup hitter against lefty Eduardo Rodriguez. He has good numbers against the Red Sox starter, but he's also started just one game in nearly three weeks. Earlier today, Rodriguez told Michael Kay that he asked to play third base on Friday, but Joe Girardi said no.

It's at least somewhat interesting that Austin Romine is playing first base tonight and not Rob Refsnyder.

The injured starter

Eovaldi left last night's game with discomfort in his elbow and was sent for tests in New York. Girardi said he did not expect to have an update on his status until later tonight. Girardi will address the media within the hour, so we should have some clarity fairly soon.

The bullpen

After using seven relievers last night, the Yankees have recalled Luis Cessa and purchased the contract of Ben Heller, the hard-throwing right-hander acquired from Cleveland in the Andrew Miller deal. Cessa has been here before. He's bouncing back and forth between big league long man and Triple-A starter, and since he was on turn to start for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre tonight, he should be available for starter's workload if necessary. Heller has never been to the big leagues, but he has 52 strikeouts in 45 minor league innings this year.

No corresponding moves have been announced.

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Here's tonight's lineup:

Brett Gardner LF
Jacoby Ellsbury CF
Chase Headley 3B
Alex Rodriguez DH
Starlin Castro 2B
Didi Gregorius SS
Gary Sanchez C
Austin Romine 1B
Aaron Hicks RF