Following the game, the Yankees announced a roster move involving a newly acquired relief pitcher who could bolster the bullpen down the stretch. Right-hander Eli Morgan was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre a day after signing a minor league contract with the club. Morgan’s arrival follows a turbulent August that began when the Kansas City Royals designated him for assignment on August 13.
Yankees Send Eli Morgan to Scranton
Morgan had cleared waivers before an outright assignment to Triple-A Omaha, and instead of accepting the demotion, he elected free agency, which allowed the Yankees to bring him in. New York already had another former American League Central pitcher on a minor league deal, joining Justin Topa, who signed with the team on August 14.
In 2026, Morgan’s major league presence was sporadic. He appeared in 16 relief outings for Kansas City, posting a 0-1 record with a 5.12 ERA, a 1.71 WHIP, 16 strikeouts and nine walks over 19 1/3 innings. In the minors, however, he performed more effectively, recording a 1.40 ERA over 25 2/3 innings at Omaha with an elevated strikeout rate, though his fastball velocity hovered around 91 mph.
A Career Built on a Plus Changeup
Morgan was drafted by the Cleveland Guardians in the eighth round out of Gonzaga in 2017 and debuted with Cleveland on May 28, 2021, shifting from starter to reliever early in his MLB tenure. His changeup developed into a strong secondary offering during his rise through the minors, contributing to his overall upside as a bullpen option. Over parts of six major league seasons, he has a combined record of 18-14 with a 4.25 ERA and 282 strikeouts in 292 innings.
The Guardians later traded Morgan to the Chicago Cubs after the 2024 season for outfield prospect Alfonsin Rosario. An elbow and shoulder impingement limited him to seven games with Chicago in 2025, and the Cubs non-tendered him after the season. The Yankees’ pitching staff looked to Morgan as a possible bullpen reinforcement as they navigate a tight playoff chase.
Yankees Rally Falls Short Against Blue Jays
Toronto’s right-hander Dylan Cease carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning on Saturday before Jazz Chisholm Jr. broke it up, and Austin Wells followed with an RBI single. Cease went 6 2/3 innings, allowing two hits and one earned run with eight strikeouts to earn the win.
New York’s starter, Ryan Weathers, took the loss after yielding two runs in 3 1/3 innings before exiting with forearm discomfort. The Blue Jays added a solo homer by Nathan Lukes in the eighth, and closer Louie Varland finished out the game for the save. Luis García hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth for the Yankees to pull within one, but Varland retired the side in the ninth to seal the 4-3 final.
Looking Ahead
With the loss, the Yankees remain within three games of Boston in the race for the top American League Wild Card spot. The bullpen addition could provide length and options down the stretch as New York aims to secure a postseason berth.
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