Yankees Rest All-Stars Ahead Of Break, Breyvic Valera Gets Chance In Infield

by Tyler PenceJuly 8, 2019, 5:20 pmDaily Digest, News >

All-Star break opens Monday with the MLB Home Run Derby, and the New York Yankees will be thankful for a break after splitting a 2-2 series with the Tampa Bay Rays last weekend. The Yankees have been resting their All-Stars ahead of the break, and opened their roster for Breyvic Valera to get a chance, starting at second base.

The 27-year-old has been striving in the AAA league, hitting .348 with 31 RBIs and nine home runs. Valera got his first day in a pinstripe jersey after Gleyber Torres and DJ LeMahieu, two infielders for the Yankees, were being rested ahead of the break. He got the nod for the start, but struggled a little, batting .206 and making a crucial error against the Rays in the infield. The Yankees’ manager still believes he can help the team further down the line, however.

“He’s having a great season,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said, according to New Jersey’s official website. “I’m excited to be able to plug him in. I really wanted to get DJ and Gleyber with them going to the All-Star Game a day (of) and we feel like Valera can step in there.”

Valera will need to earn a spot in this tough Yankees team in due time. First baseman Luke Volt is likely to return from injury soon. The Yankees still hold a 6.5 games ahead of second-place Rays in the AL East, with a dominant 57-31 record. The Yankees are 7-3 in their last 10 games, with an almost wrecking .650 win percentage.

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FINAL: Rays 2, Yankees 1.

We'll head into the All-Star Break with 57 wins and a 6.5 game lead atop the AL East standings.

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) July 7, 2019

“These are guys that we have leaned on heavily. We have been through a really tough stretch of games, going to London,” Boone said, according to the New York Post. “Part of the way we are built is part of our depth. Time and time again we have rested guys and the guys that go in there are not only capable but have played a role in us winning ballgames.