Yankees call up Refsnyder, two pitchers

PHOENIX -- The Yankees restocked their roster with some familiar faces on Tuesday, summoning Rob Refsnyder for his first stint with the big league club this year while also recalling pitchers Luis Cessa and James Pazos from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
In corresponding moves, the Yankees optioned hurlers Chad Green and Conor Mullee to Triple-A, one day after they made their Major League debuts in a 12-2 loss to the D-backs at Chase Field. Reliever Phil Coke was designated for assignment.

Refsnyder had been one of the more productive hitters at Triple-A, where the 25-year-old was batting .293 with two homers and 10 RBIs in 34 games.
"I've been getting kind of lucky this second month," Refsnyder said. "The first month, I didn't have the best of luck. Just keeping it simple."
Yankees manager Joe Girardi said he will look for Refsnyder to provide some versatility to the bench, having been rotated between second base, third base and right field in the Minors. Pazos provides middle relief, while Cessa will be used in a long-relief role.
"Ref's been swinging the bat really well. We wanted to get another position player here," Girardi said. "Pazos has been throwing the ball better and Cessa gives you some distance. He had a pretty good start his last start, so trying to keep those bullpen arms fresh, get one that can give us distance, as well."
Rated as the Yankees' No. 9 prospect by MLB Pipeline, Refsnyder had been mentioned as a candidate to platoon with Dustin Ackley at second base prior to Starlin Castro's acquisition from the Cubs in December.

He competed for a utility roster spot in the spring, attempting to learn third base on the fly, a nod that eventually went to the more polished Ronald Torreyes. Refsnyder returned to the outfield, his original position, while with the Triple-A club.
"I feel good. The outfield feels pretty natural, to be honest," Refsnyder said. "We have a bunch of good infielders down there helping me out. We've got [Pete] Kozma, [Donovan] Solano, guys who are familiar with it. We all really enjoy it."
Though Tuesday marked his first trip to Chase Field, Refsnyder's flight brought back good memories of his time at the University of Arizona, where he was named the Most Outstanding Player at the 2012 College World Series.
"It's awesome. It kind of feels like home," Refsnyder said.