Demotion Catches Yankees Prospect Refsnyder By Surprise
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) — Rob Refsnyder is heading back to the farm.
In somewhat of a surprising move, the New York Yankees optioned Refsnyder to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre a day after manager Joe Girardi said the touted prospect would get more playing time.
"I wasn't expecting this," the Korean-born second baseman said before Sunday's 2-1 win over Seattle. "I'm the low man on the totem pole."
Refsnyder said he plans to work his way back after a "good experience" with the big club. The 24-year-old was 2 for 12 with a homer in four games with the Yankees, who also have veterans Brendan Ryan and Stephen Drew to play the infield.
"I felt comfortable," Refsnyder said. "I never felt overwhelmed."
For now, the Yankees are sticking with Drew, who is hitting just .181 with 12 home runs and 25 RBIs.
"We just felt that there were some little things that he could continue to work on. We brought him up to face the lefties to start," Girardi said of Refsnyder. "And you look at Stephen Drew and what he's done in June, he had a pretty good month in June. You look at his OPS numbers. July, he hasn't a played a lot, the numbers are OK.
"We just felt that we're in first place and Stephen Drew has played a part in that and we play a lot of games in this ballpark and this ballpark is favorable to him. We're going to stay with him for right now."
Refsnyder was sent down to make room for Carlos Beltran, who was activated from the 15-day disabled list and went 1 for 2 with an RBI against the Mariners.
Beltran last played June 30 because of an oblique strain.
"I did everything they asked me to," Beltran said. "Everything went well."
(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
