TAMPA — On day one of Yankees spring training, Aaron Boone’s first press conference of the year started Wednesday afternoon with an announcement of a pitching injury.
Of course it did.
Right-handed reliever Scott Effross, out all last season recovering from Tommy John surgery, will miss the first half of this year rehabbing his way back from December back surgery that wasn’t public until now.
This injury to this high-leverage bullpen arm was countered by a minor trade with the Milwaukee Brewers for reliever depth … and maybe an occasional pinch-hitter.
The Yankees acquired Clayton Andrews, a 5-foot-6 left-hander who was a two-way player in the minor leagues until last season, straight up for 19-year-old right-hander Joshua Quezada.
Effross was placed on the 60-day injured list to free up a 40-man roster spot for Andrews, who will compete for a Yankees’ season-opening roster spot during spring training but likely begin the season in Triple-A.
Andrews, 27, debuted in the majors last season and in four appearances with Milwaukee was shelled for 11 runs (10 earned) over 3.1 innings. He was very good for Triple-A Nashville, going 6-0 with a 2.53 ERA with 74 strikeouts and 31 walks in 57 innings over 48 games.
Andrews pitched and played center field in college at Long Beach State. As a junior in 2017, he pitched to a 1.99 ERA in 15 starts and hit .302 with no homers and 26 RBI in 257 plate appearances.
Drafted by the Brewers in the 17th round in 2018, he’s a career .333 hitter in 63 at-bats.
The Petaluma, Calif., native last hit in 2022 when he was 0-for-9.