NEW YORK (AP) — Duke Ellis was brought back to the Yankees for their last pre-postseason workout. The 26-year-old outfielder did running drills and was told by manager Aaron Boone that he was on New York’s AL Division Series roster against Kansas City.
“Big smile on my face of course and very excited,” said Ellis, who has played 11 major league games. “All I can say is I was very appreciative.”
The son of former big league pitcher Robert Ellis, Duke had 57 stolen bases in 61 tries at Triple-A this year in a season in which he was designated for assignment by the Chicago White Sox, New York Mets and Seattle Mariners.
Ellis has 145 steals in 163 attempts in four professional seasons. He played just three games for the Yankees, who claimed him off waivers from the Mariners on Aug. 26. His presence on the roster allows an extra pinch runner, especially with Oswaldo Cabrera, Ben Rice and Jon Berti as first base possibilities while Anthony Rizzo recovers from fractured fingers.
“It allows you to be a little more aggressive with that spot knowing you’ve got an extra man on the bench to plug in wherever you need it,” Boone said Saturday.
Growing up in Texas, Ellis quickly discovered possessing good speed and struggling at soccer did not go together for constantly running up and down the field.
Instead, he turned to baseball and with the help of his father.
“A little bit comes from being born with it, a little bit comes from being really bad at soccer,” Ellis said. “Me playing defense and being bad at soccer, you got to chase people constantly.
“So I think that helped out and of course my pops. He has written a speed program for as long as I can remember and everything that he has done for me has gotten me to this point.”
