J.B. Cox was placed on the disabled list yesterday, retroactive to Sunday, June 8, with a sore shoulder, and was replaced on the roster by Jeff Karstens, who SWB activated after being out with a sore groin. According to a report in The Journal News, Yankees GM Brian Cashman said he will be out for at least three weeks. Cox was pitching well enough to deserve consideration for a promotion (1-1, 0.73 ERA in 10 appearances), but it will now bear watching to see how he comes back from this latest set-back (he had Tommy John surgery last season).

This move could make the Yankees move up another of their top relief prospects, Mark Melancon (who also happens to be coming back from TJ) from Double-A Trenton. Melancon has been pitching well with the Thunder (3-0, 1.25 ERA in 21-2/3 innings).