The Yankees’ best late-inning arms were unavailable Wednesday night, leading to Albert Abreu and Nick Ramirez being on the mound in the biggest moments of their 4-3, 10-inning loss to the Mets at Citi Field.
Michael King had pitched Tuesday and, a season after he fractured his elbow, has yet to appear in back-to-back games this season. Clay Holmes and Wandy Peralta also pitched Tuesday and each had worked in four of the previous six days.
Though manager Aaron Boone said all three are healthy, the Yankees’ excellent bullpen could not survive extra innings without them.
Abreu, whose ERA is down to 3.45, was solid in a clean ninth inning to send the game to the 10th.
With ghost runner Eduardo Escobar on second, the righty struck out Mark Vientos before he was pulled for a lefty-on-lefty matchup: Ramirez against the Mets’ Brandon Nimmo.
Ramirez had not been charged with a run in his past 6 ²/₃ innings, but Nimmo hit a second-pitch sinker over Jake Bauers’ head in right for a double off the wall to score Escobar with the game-winning run.
“All our guys pitched well,” Boone said. “It was another well-pitched game tonight. We just couldn’t quite get to the finish line or push enough runs across.”
A couple of rehabbing Yankees will be busy while the team travels to Boston on Thursday.
Carlos Rodon and Ian Hamilton will throw live batting practice with Double-A Somerset on Thursday in another step toward making it back to major league action.
Rodon, who has yet to make his Yankees debut after he signed a six-year deal this past offseason, will face hitters for the third time following a left forearm strain and back discomfort setback.
The veteran lefty, who threw 29 pitches over two simulated innings Sunday, could begin a rehab assignment in five or six days if all goes well.
Hamilton will face live hitters for the first time since suffering a right groin strain May 16. The righty, who earned a roster spot after a non-roster invitation to spring training, was excellent for a month and a half, posting a 1.23 ERA in 22 games.
Boone said he was uncertain if Hamilton would follow the live session Thursday with another live batting practice or would begin a rehab assignment.
Eleven days after Aaron Judge suffered his toe injury, Boone still did not have an update on when the captain could return.
The Yankees are still waiting for the swelling to subside from an injury they have called a right toe contusion and sprain of the ligament.
“I’m almost in your same boat. I want to know,” Boone said. “But it is an unknown right now about when he’s able to do things. I think once that happens, it’ll happen quickly, but we’re not at that point yet.”
According to Boone, Judge has been able to do modified workouts
“Sunday night, walking out I know his gait was getting good finally after a few days,” Boone said. “I really don’t have a good answer for you as far as when [a timetable will be available].”
Center fielder Harrison Bader (right hamstring strain) began a rehab assignment with Somerset and went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.
The Yankees, as expected, will stay with a four-man rotation.
Because of off days on the schedule, the four starting pitchers they are carrying can pitch on normal rest without a fifth starter until June 24.
The Yankees, who have an extra reliever, announced Domingo German, Clarke Schmidt and Luis Severino would start Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Boston.