Yankees top pitching prospect Carlos Lagrange has resumed throwing on flat ground, a positive development in his recovery from a capsular sprain of the right shoulder. The 23-year-old's progress is ahead of the initial timeline estimated by the club, which had anticipated a longer shutdown period.
Lagrange was diagnosed with the injury on July 3 after his last outing for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on June 28. He had been in the process of transitioning from a starter to a reliever, with the intention of bolstering the Yankees' bullpen in the second half of the season. While his return to the mound is still uncertain, the accelerated throwing progression means he could potentially become an option for the team later in the year.
"He has started throwing again, so you never know for sure," manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday. "But we'll just listen to his arm and body and hopefully, as he starts his throwing progression, things go well and he puts himself in position to be in the conversation. But impossible to know right now."
Lagrange posted video to social media of himself throwing, though Boone indicated he had actually begun throwing a few days prior. The Yankees are reportedly seeking to acquire one or two high-leverage relievers before the trade deadline on Monday. If Lagrange is not included in any trade packages, his rehabilitation process will be closely watched to see if he can provide an unexpected boost to the bullpen.
In related news, the Yankees signed veteran catcher Christian Bethancourt to a minor league deal on Tuesday. Bethancourt, who has played in 427 career major league games, was added to the roster at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre for depth. He had previously played for the Cubs' Triple-A affiliate this season, where he batted .262 with a .775 OPS in 59 games.