The New York Yankees made a flurry of roster moves on Saturday, placing outfielder Zoilo Almonte on the disabled list with a left ankle sprain and designating infielder Alberto Gonzalez for assignment, according to the team's official Twitter page.
Yankees roster moves: Alberto Gonzalez designated, Zoilo Almonte placed on DL
The Yankees were busy on Sunday as they placed Almonte on the DL, DFA’d Gonzalez and called up two minor league outfielders.
Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE
More Yankees coverage: Pinstriped Bible
To take the two players' roster spots, New York called up outfielders Melky Mesa and Thomas Neal from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
X-rays on Almonte's foot came back negative after he was removed early from Friday's game. Despite that, the Yankees chose to play it safe and have a fresh body on the field with an upcoming series against the NL East-leading Boston Red Sox. The 24-year-old Almonte will likely be activated as soon as the minimum of 15 days is reached.
Gonzalez was acquired in a trade with the Cubs earlier in the season, but has OPS'd just .382 in 13 games with New York. The Yankees designated the 30-year-old earlier in the season and then outrighted him to Triple-A, but he was later recalled on June 21.
Mesa and Neal have both spent a brief time on the major league roster earlier in 2013. The 25-year-old Neal is the more polished hitter of the two, with a .314/.387/.402 line for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre compared to a .249/.277/.424 line for Mesa. Mesa has above-average speed and is a good defensive outfielder with a strong arm, though.
Both players have some pop and have had 20-plus homer seasons in the minors.
More from SB Nation:
See More:
