The Yankees bullpen maneuvering continued before Friday’s game against the Braves, as they designated left-hander Victor Gonzalez for assignment after optioning Ron Marinaccio to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday.
Taking their place is ex-Met Phil Bickford, a right-hander who was signed to a major league contract and selected to the active roster from SWB, and Yoendrys Gomez, 24, who was recalled from SWB.
Gomez was starting at Triple-A.
Gonzalez was acquired from the Dodgers in December as part of a trade for infield prospect Trey Sweeney. The Yankees also picked up infield prospect Jorbit Vivas in the deal.
The Yankees hoped Gonzalez, 28, would serve a similar role as Wandy Peralta, who signed with the Padres in the offseason, but Gonzalez’s strikeouts plummeted this season and he was ineffective against lefties.
The Yankees’ bullpen has been especially taxed of late, with Gerrit Cole going just four-plus innings Wednesday and Luis Gil only 1 1/3 innings Thursday.
The roster moves come a day after the Yankees signed another veteran lefty, Tim Hill, and DFA’d Clayton Andrews.