BREAKING NEWS: Beltran to DL

Apr 25, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees right fielder

(36) hits a double against the Los Angeles Angels during the sixth inning of a game at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

More bad news for the New York Yankees on the injury front. Matt Snyder of CBS Sports reports right fielder Carlos Beltran is heading for the DL. Beltran has been sidelined the last two games due to an elbow injury. It is currently unclear how long he will be stashed on the disabled list.

Beltran came over as a free agent from the Cardinals this offseason when the Yankees outbid his former team in both years and dollars. The 36-year old perennial All-Star signed for three years and $45 million. It is his second go in the Big Apple after a seven year stint with the Mets.

Beltran got off to a hot start to begin the season, taking home the AL Player of the Week Award for the week of April 7th through 13th. He batted .423 with three home runs and six RBI that week but has cooled down tremendously since then. He has mustered just two home runs in the month since then and is now batting .234 on the season. Perhaps the elbow injury is at the root of his slump.

Chase Whitley will get the call from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to take Beltran’s roster spot. With Zolio Almonte taking the recently injured RP Shawn Kelley’s spot on the roster, the Yankees have plenty of outfield depth. Whitley will provide the starting pitching the Yankees so desperately need right now. Whitley is currently 3-2 with a dazzling 2.39 ERA and 32 strikeouts over 26.1 innings for the RailRiders this season. The 24-year old righty will start tonight against the Mets.