Yankees News: Top Prospect Headed To New York After Corey Kluber, Luke Voit Injuries

The New York Yankees are finally giving one of their top prospects a chance to show what he can do in the big leagues. The organization announced Thursday that outfielder Estevan Florial has been added to the Yankees’ roster prior to the team’s doubleheader with the Toronto Blue Jays.

New York called up Florial and pitcher Albert Abreu while putting both pitcher Corey Kluber and first baseman Luke Voit on the injured list. Kluber is expected to miss several weeks with a shoulder injury. Voit has an oblique strain after missing well over a month because of knee surgery.

The mounting injuries during the 2021 season had sparked calls from Yankees fans for Florial to get a shot in the majors. The No. 10 ranked prospect in the Yankees’ minor-league system, according to MLB.com, Florial has played 17 games this year between Double-A and Triple-A. The 23-year-old is only hitting .203, though he’s shown power with six home runs and a .536 slugging percentage.

Florial was once viewed as one of the 50 best prospects in baseball.

The Yankees’ outfield depth has been depleted through the first 48 games of the season. Giancarlo Stanton is on the injured list, along with Ryan LaMarre, who was called up in Stanton’s absence. Aaron Hicks might not return this season after undergoing wrist surgery. Clint Frazier and Aaron Judge have been banged up but managed to avoid the IL.

The Yankees traded outfielder Mike Tauchman in April for reliever Wandy Peralta. There are rumors that New York might try to trade for an outfielder.

Abreu has a 1.80 ERA in five innings with the Yankees this season. The 25-year-old made two appearances last season.

Before his injury, Kluber was starting to return to his Cy Young form. The veteran tossed a no-hitter and pitched to a 3.04 ERA. Voit led the AL in home runs during the truncated 2020 season.

The Yankees are fighting with the Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox atop a competitive AL East.