OF Willie Calhoun Feels Ready For Return After Rehab Stint

TRANSACTION: Prior to tonight’s game, the Yankees returned OF Willie Calhoun from rehab, reinstated him from the 10-day injured list and designated him for assignment.

Bridgewater, New Jersey – The Yankees outfield depth has regularly been tested over the first 102 games of their roller coaster season. The Bombers have used a stable of 11 different players across all three positions because of a seemingly endless slew of injuries. With just 60 ball games remaining on the slate, reigning MVP Aaron Judge is reportedly close to a return to action, but the overall health of that position group will most certainly play a factor down the stretch if the organization is going to eventually rally for a postseason berth. After appearing in six rehab games with Somerset over the last nine days, outfielder Willie Calhoun went 5-for-22 at the plate and logged 20 innings in right field – he says he feels ready to return to action and help the club whenever or wherever they need him.

CALHOUN CRUSHED!@Yankees rehabbing OF Willie Calhoun goes Yard against the Goats. #RepBX pic.twitter.com/QMzlGehXTA

— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) July 22, 2023

Will that be in Baltimore as soon as this weekend with the big-league club, or will it be with the RailRiders at Triple-A? Calhoun is ready to take on either scenario and with the imminent return of Judge and backup options like Greg Allen, Jake Bauers and Billy McKinney already on the roster, a spot in the Bronx for Calhoun may be difficult to forecast in the immediate.

“I just know that today is my last scheduled day,” said Calhoun prior to Thursday night’s matchup with Bowie. “I’m sure I will check in with [Yankees brass] to see what the plan is after BP. I haven’t really talked to Boonie [Aaron Boone] or anybody about that yet. Still waiting to hear what the next step is.”

Calhoun added,” I get the cycle and I know what it’s about. If that’s what it is then that’s what it is [regarding potentially going to Triple-A], I can’t really control that. I just try to take care of the things that I can control and whatever that is, it is.”

Calhoun blasted five homers and drove home 16 runs while slashing .239/.309/.403 in 44 games with the Yankees this season before landing on the IL on June 22 with a left quad strain. The 28-year-old veteran inked a minor league deal with the Yankees over the winter after stops with Texas and San Francisco over the last seven seasons. The former Dodgers draft selection had seen a good chunk of playing time before landing on the shelf. The timing was less than ideal for a guy on a minor league deal looking to find a niche as a regular player.

“Whenever you get an opportunity to put on the pinstripes, it’s an honor to put them on,” admitted Calhoun. “To be able to help the team win and compete at the big-league level is a lot of fun, so I am definitely looking forward to getting back and get going.”

“Whenever you get hurt, it’s always frustrating,” said Calhoun. “Especially at the timing that this injury happened five weeks ago, I think it’s a little bit more frustrating. We have a good training staff up there and down here to get me back on the right track, so I feel like I have put myself in a good position to be able to go back and help them whenever that is.”

Matt Kardos | SomersetPatriots.com Beat Writer

Matt Kardos has covered the Yankees minor league system for over a decade and will spend his 11th season on the beat covering the Patriots for SomersetPatriots.com. Throughout his career, Matt has contributed to MLB.com, YES Network and Pinstriped Prospects. When he’s not at the ballpark, Matt enjoys traveling with his wife Kimberly, watching Jets football and collecting sports cards.