Andrew Velazquez is back with the Yankees and in Saturday’s lineup as the starting shortstop, with DJ LeMahieu still out with a sports hernia.
Velazquez, a Bronx native who emerged as a hometown hero during the Yankees’ 13-game winning streak, was demoted back on Sept. 12 when Clarke Schmidt was called up. Aaron Boone said he expected Velazquez to be a “big part” of the team moving forward, and now he will be called upon to help the Yanks lock up a playoff spot.
Velazquez, batting ninth on Saturday, has played in 26 games for the Yanks this season, playing a big role while Gleyber Torres was out, and provided steady defense despite batting just .234 with a .621 OPS.
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In a corresponding move, Albert Abreu was sent down after the reliever slipped up in the ninth inning of Friday’s loss to the Rays, allowing a two-run single to rookie Wander Franco in an eventual 4-3 defeat.
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