Chris

Britton

Britton entered August with a 2.57 ERA in 40 2/3 innings, but he slumped this month and was quickly dropped into a mop-up role. He still figures to be back next month.

He had been sent down Double-A to work on his offspeed pitches, so the poor results he recorded during the demotion are a bit skewed. Britton was an effective reliever for the Orioles for the first half of the season, but struggled badly in August before being demoted.

It figures to be a short stay for Britton unless the Yankees decide to stash Luis Vizcaino on the DL. They’ll need to cut a pitcher when they call up Roger Clemens on Monday.

Maybe it’s time to find a way to stash Luis Vizcaino on the DL and give Britton an extended look. He has a 26/9 K/BB ratio in 22 innings.

Despite all of the success he had with the Orioles last year, Britton has spent just two weeks in the majors this year. He’ll get his shot now, and he could turn out to be one of the Yankees’ most reliable relievers the rest of the way.

Britton has given the Yankees ample reason to provide him with an extended chance. Still, it’s not happening right now. He allowed one run in three inings during his only appearance.

Britton fills the bullpen spot vacated by Kyle Farnsworth in the Ivan Rodriguez deal. He allowed one run in seven innings before being placed on the disabled list with a pulled ribcage muscle in June. He had a 1.80 with a 23/6 K/BB ratio in 25 innings at Triple-A.

Britton has a 3.38 ERA in 10 2/3 innings for the Yankees this season. He’ll get another chance to pitch in middle relief.

Britton didn’t make an appearance during another brief stay with the Yankees.

Britton has been out since June 3 with a pulled rib-cage muscle. The Yankees might option him to Triple-A later this week rather than put him back into their pen.