Luis Cessa to start Wednesday for New York Yankees, impacting weekend rotation vs. Red Sox

Pete Caldera | NorthJersey

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Yankees manager Aaron Boone added a wrinkle to his rotation, announcing that Luis Cessa will start Wednesday against the Phillies.

So, with Jonathan Loaisiga, Luis Severino and Cessa lined up to start a three-game series at Philadelphia beginning Monday, the Yankees could potentially start CC Sabathia, Sonny Gray and Severino against the Red Sox this weekend.

Boone has only announced that Sabathia would start Friday’s series opener against Boston on two extra days of rest.

“Rolling into (Thursday’s) off day, it made the most sense for us, not only short term but long term,’’ Boone said of inserting Cessa into the rotation and allowing some extra rest for Sabathia and Gray.

It also gives Boone the option to use Domingo German as a bullpen weapon against the Red Sox, if he were to start Gray (on two extra days of rest) on Saturday and Severino (on regular rest) Sunday.

Sidelined for much of the season due to an oblique strain, Cessa is built up enough to be “in that 70-80 pitch-range’’ for his first start of the year according to Boone.

Cessa threw additional pitches in the bullpen on Friday, immediately following his two scoreless innings against the Rays.

“We have a lot of confidence in Cessa,’’ said Boone, adding that this is “the role we envisioned him in, kind of being that fifth, sixth starter for us, bullpen guy, kind of along the lines of Domingo German.’’

Masahiro Tanaka's bullpen session

Masahiro Tanaka (strained hamstrings) was encouraged by Sunday's 26-pitch bullpen session, his first time on a mound since being placed on the 10-day disabled list.

"I was kind of being a little big cautious about it, I guess, on the mound. But it turned out I didn't feel anything (in the hamstrings),'' Tanaka said through an interpreter.

Also, Tanaka said he was pleased that "the arm strength was still there, just being able to really throw with some force on it.''

Tanaka will remain in Florida to throw another bullpen Tuesday at the Yankees' Tampa complex and he's scheduled to pitch in a simulated game on Friday.

From there, Tanaka could graduate to minor league rehab start.

Though Tanaka said there is "nothing definitive at this point'' about when he'd rejoin the Yankees rotation, the right-hander could be in line to return for a doubleheader at Baltimore on July 9 - exactly a month after he landed on the DL.

Greg Bird benched

After going hitless in his last three games, the struggling Greg Bird found himself on the bench to begin Sunday’s series finale against a right-handed starter.

“Just a day … physically he’s fine,’’ Boone said.

Walker started at first base instead of Bird, who extended his slide to 7-for-52 – though he blasted a home-run-distance foul ball before flying out in the 11th.

“I do feel like Birdie’s close. I feel like he’s controlling the strike zone,’’ Boone said. “I just feel that there’s (something) missing where, when he does get that pitch (he should) really (be) impacting it. Instead of barreling it, really driving the ball.''

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