McCann sidelined with stiff knee; Yankees re-sign Jones

NEW YORK (AP) Brian McCann is out of the New York Yankees' lineup Wednesday night against Boston because of a stiff left knee.

The slugging catcher was injured blocking a pitch in the dirt from reliever Dellin Betances on Tuesday night, when McCann homered and drove in four runs. He shifted to first base late in the game.

McCann said an MRI showed inflammation around the medial collateral ligament on the inside of his left knee. He said he could come off the bench in an emergency, but hopes two days off and steady treatment will be enough to get him back on the field.

John Ryan Murphy was behind the plate for the major league debut of prized Yankees pitching prospect Luis Severino.

''I was definitely looking forward to catching him,'' said McCann, hitting .255 with 18 homers and 65 RBIs.

In other moves, the Yankees re-signed first baseman-outfielder Garrett Jones, optioned right-hander Caleb Cotham to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and designated right-hander Danny Burawa for assignment. Severino was called up from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Jones was cut last Friday after New York acquired outfielder-infielder in a trade with Seattle. Ackley, however, went on the disabled list Tuesday with a strain in his lower back.

Jones, obtained in a trade with Miami last offseason, was available off the bench against the Red Sox. He batted .215 with five home runs and 17 RBIs in 57 games during his first stint with the Yankees this season.

Yankees spokesman Jason Zillo noted Jones had already grown a beard in his brief time away from the team and was shaving it to comply with club rules once again.