New York Yankees Remove Darrell Rasner, Put Alfredo Aceves In Rotation

Not more than two hours after my rant that the Yankees should stop playing players who aren’t expected to play a role in 2009 they announced that Alfredo Aceves will take Darrell Rasner’s spot in the rotation.

The move comes in response not to my article, but to Rasner’s last outing against the Tampa Rays. In that inspired performance where he couldn’t make it out of the second inning, Rasner threw 1.1 innings, gave up six hits, five runs, two walks, and only managed a single strikeout.

The performance dropped his overall record to 5-10. On the season has a 5.43 ERA in 20 starts over 109.1 innings. He’s shown decent control with only 35 walks, but 65 strikeouts hasn’t been enough and his 1.55 WHIP and .300 BAA are terrible.

“I know from Ras, the effort is always there,” manager Joe Girardi said. “I don’t worry. The kid has got a lot of heart.”

Rasner’s effort might keep him in pinstripes in 2009, but he’ll be around as an emergency starter and long reliever. Heart alone, without the skills to back it up, doesn’t get you into the starting rotation.

Meanwhile, Aceves has already shown some promise at the big league level. In just two performances he has pitched seven innings and has given up just five hits, two walks, and one run, with seven K’s and a .192 BAA.

“Aceves threw the ball extremely well last night,” Girardi said. “He wasn’t as sharp as I think he’ll be his next turn, because he’s not used to coming out of the bullpen in the middle of an inning and not having his normal side work. I think he’ll be even sharper.”

Aceves was signed out of the Mexican league this past March 10 and has flown through the minors. He started in single-A and had a 4-1 record with a 2.11 ERA. He then moved to double-A where he had a 2-2 record and a 1.80 ERA before finishing in triple-A with a 2-3 record and a 4.12 ERA.

It’s good to see the Yankees finally making some of the right moves that they should have started making a few weeks ago. Hopefully the next step is to remove Sidney Ponson and put Phil Coke in the rotation or more likely Phil Hughes or Ian Kennedy.

For more information on Aceves including a brief scouting report check out my post from August.

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