Yankees Rumors: Montero Promotion Expected, But No Banuelos or Betances

According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the New York Yankees intend to call up elite catching prospect Jesus Montero this week once rosters expand. Sherman adds that top pitching prospects Manny Banuelos and Dellin Betances won't be called up for this season, though, despite the team's apparent need for pitching help at the MLB level.

Montero won't be sitting on the bench, either, as Sherman notes that, "Jorge Posada’s postseason roster spot remains tenuous enough that Montero could have a big September and make himself viable for October at-bats as a DH." So there's a non-zero chance that the Yankees will be making Montero a prominent part of their lineup from here on out, and that's not surprising given that he's likely a better player than Posada at this point.

As for Banuelos and Betances, Sherman hears from a source that the Yankees don't feel compelled to promote either pitcher because both have already met their organizational goals for the season. The team views this year as a developmental year for both players, as each logged over 120 innings in the minors this season and both are in a position to make a significant impact with the big league club next year.

And while the team considered bullpen stints as one possible way to get them onto the MLB roster, the team has ultimately decided that neither pitcher is advanced enough to be a legitimate difference-maker down the stretch this year. I'd expect both of these guys to get legitimate opportunities to be in the Opening Day rotation next season.