ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Justus Sheffield came into the season with the most fanfare, but another young Yankees lefty suddenly has become a reliable option out of the bullpen.
Stephen Tarpley retired both batters he faced in the seventh inning of Tuesday’s 9-2 win over the Rays. In his past seven appearances, he has allowed just three hits, two walks and struck out seven.
Aaron Boone said Tarpley is “pitching himself into the conversation” for a postseason roster spot.
“He’s a problem for left-handed hitters,’’ Boone said. “He’s coming in and pounding the zone with a sinker and slider. … That’s why he got on our radar this year down in the minor leagues.’’
Tarpley has bounced back after an ugly start to his MLB career, when he allowed three runs in one inning in a Sept. 2 loss to the Tigers. And he has adapted well to facing lefties out of the pen.
“That’s the position they want me to fill,’’ said Tarpley, who split most of the season between Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Since Aroldis Chapman came off the disabled list Sept. 19, he has appeared in three games and has yet to push the radar gun into triple digits. Decreased velocity, however, won’t be the only measuring stick for Boone to return Chapman to the closer’s role he held before missing nearly a month with tendinitis in his left knee.
“I don’t know if I would necessarily tie it all to velocity,” Boone said. “The fact that the last couple of times he’s gone out and gotten results and pitched well for the most part, had command and the slider’s been a real factor for him.
“I see him out there pitching with confidence and ability to bounce back. The velocity from a numbers standpoint is not the biggest thing. It’s more just what the stuff looks like. Is he able to command it? Is he able to repeat it?’’
Boone used Zach Britton to close Monday night’s 4-1 win after Chapman worked the seventh and Dellin Betances the eighth.
In the three games since being activated from the DL, Chapman has a 10.13 ERA, but in the past two outings he has worked two innings and struck out four without allowing a run.
The most work Greg Bird gets these days is during early workouts when he has been taking ground balls at third to stay active. Bird also participated in early batting practice Tuesday afternoon.
After being expected to hit third in the Yankees’ lineup during spring training until ankle surgery delayed the start of his season until late May, Bird has started two games in September and appeared in two others as a pinch-hitter.
