Red Sox reassign pitching coaches - MLB

The Red Sox announced today that they have reassigned pitching coach Dana LeVangie and assistant pitching coach Brian Bannister. LeVangie will stay in the organization as a pro scout. Bannister will move into the role of VP of pitching development, which deals primarily with minor leaguers.

Pitching is what did the Red Sox in in 2019, as the club finished 19th in the majors in team ERA. It’s worth noting too that injuries played a big role, with Chris Sale, David Price and Nathan Eovaldi missing dozens of starts due to various maladies. Any chance that the bullpen would make up for that was a dead letter the moment the front office decided to go cheap on the pen last winter.

So, yes, on some level LeVangie and Bannister are fall guys here. But such is life for big league pitching coaches.

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LOS ANGELES — Giancarlo Stanton, Josh Donaldson, and Tommy Kahnle were activated by the New York Yankees ahead of their weekend series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

New York cleared three roster spots after a 1-0 loss at Seattle, optioning infielder-outfielders Oswaldo Cabrera and Franchy Cordero to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre along with left-hander Matt Krook.

Stanton, Donaldson and Kahnle all played in a rehab game for Double-A Somerset. Stanton was hitless in three at-bats in his first appearance since injuring his left hamstring on April 15.

Donaldson went 1 for 4 in his fourth rehab game as he comes back from a strained right hamstring originally sustained on April 5.

Kahnle pitched one inning, giving up one run and one hit and walking two. He has been out since spring training with right biceps tendinitis.

Aaron Boone said he wasn’t concerned about Stanton returning after playing in just one rehab game. He did say that Stanton likely will be a designated hitter for a couple of weeks after rejoining the Yankees.

New York is missing centerfielder Harrison Bader, who strained his right hamstring against the Mariners and went on the injured list the next day.

Left-hander Carlos Rodón, sidelined since spring training by a sore left forearm and an ailing back, was transferred to the 60-day injured list.