Cam Schlitter Call-Up Triggers Drastic Yankees Decision on Veteran Pitcher for Second Time within 10 Days

Cam Schlittler did not just earn a call-up; he forced the Yankees’ hand. When the top pitching prospect was added to the roster ahead of the MLB debut, the team had to make room. That led to a tough and now familiar decision: a veteran pitcher was DFA’d. Again.

As Greg Joyce highlighted, “Geoff Hartlieb DFA’d again to make room for Cam Schlittler to be added to the Yankees roster to make his MLB debut tonight.” It was not the first time Geoff Hartlieb had been sent packing. Just last Wednesday, the 31-year-old reliever was DFA’d under nearly identical situations. This time, it is clear: Schlittler’s rise is no fluke, and Hartlieb’s position is the one paying the price.

What makes the whole situation wilder is that Hartlieb had just signed a deal on July 6 after clearing waivers the first time. The team took the star back with the thought of plugging some gaps in a battered bullpen. However, barely a week later, the star’s relief appearance against the Mariners—where Hartlieb gave up three earned runs in just a third of an inning—looked to seal his fate again.

The move could look harsh, however, it is becoming part of a repeating trend. Hartlieb, once a promising 29th-round pick from the Pirates, has bounced around the league with short stints in the Yankees, the Pirates, Miami, Colorado, and the Mets. Across 66 MLB appearances, he has a 7.92 ERA. While Hartlieb’s gritty availability provided depth, outcomes just have not followed. In a season where every outing looks like a tryout, that is a luxury the Yankees can not afford.

Honestly, this was not just related to Hartlieb. With the Yankees losing Clarke Schmidt to Tommy John surgery, the pitching is stretched thin. Gerrit Cole and Luis Gil are also sidelined, which left the team in scramble mode. Schlittler was not just a nice story—he became a necessity.

While the Cam Schlittler-Geoff Hartlieb saga highlights how the Yankees are reshuffling their quick pitching puzzle, there is another move being whispered about that could shake things up more dramatically on the offensive side.

Yankees, Giants could battle for Ozzie Albies trade amid Braves’ uncertain plans

With the Braves’ season spiraling and Ozzie Albies struggling through his worst year yet, the idea of the Braves dealing the star—unthinkable just months ago—is on the table. As per The Athletic, if the Braves look to inject life into the farm system, Albies’ affordable deal and past production could attract contenders and two of the largest names linked to him. The Yankees and the Giants.

For the Yankees, the interest makes sense. The team’s infield shuffle has not exactly settled, and adding a dynamic switch-hitter would quickly upgrade the lineup and team energy. However, it would not come without internal implications. Reports suggest that if Albies were to arrive in the Yankees, Jazz Chisholm Jr., who is already learning to adapt in a new situation, could be forced back to third base, a place the star does not specifically prefer. This wrinkle could test the team’s chemistry mid-season.

Then, the Giants are still hunting for an outcome at second base. Albies, despite a decrease in form and some injury setbacks, remains a proven resource with postseason experience and two seasons of team-friendly control left at just $7 million yearly. For a team trying to bridge the gap between rebuild and contender, the star could be the perfect fit. Still, that same deal flexibility is what makes the Braves’ decision so intricate—do the team cash in now or bank on a bounce-back?

The Yankees, already scrambling to stay afloat with a shaky rotation and injured core, may feel more urgency than most. The team is clearly in a high-stakes situation, making vital moves without hesitation—whether it is cutting a veteran twice in 10 days and targeting a vital trade target like Albies. However, nothing is off the table.

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