Why Yankees won’t rule out playoff role for top prospect

The Yankees promoted top pitching prospect Justus Sheffield to the majors for the first time before a game against the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday.

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NEW YORK — Yankees pitching prospect Justus Sheffield, sitting in a big-league bullpen for the first time, will watch David Price pitch for the Red Sox.

Sheffield’s manager, Aaron Boone, wouldn’t rule out a rookie path for Sheffield similar to what Price took in 2008.

Asked if the highly touted Sheffield could make the Yankees’ playoff roster, Boone said, “We’ll see.”

“You never know how the next couple weeks unfold,” Boone said, just hours before the Yankees and Red Sox square off at Yankee Stadium. “I’m mindful of this time that a lot changes day to day, every couple of days, week to week, depending on need, depending on performance, depending on how guys are looking.”

Sheffield, a talented starting pitcher moved recently to the bullpen to maximize his use at the major-league level, said he hasn’t been told how he’ll be used.

“No clue,” he said. “Like I said, honestly not giving it much thought, I’m just going to go out there and help any way I can when I”m out there on the mound.”

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In 2008, Tampa Bay called up Price for the first time late in September. Price, a starting pitcher, developed into a big postseason presence for the Rays, pitching in five games, including twice in the World Series.

The Yankees called up Sheffield, 22, for the first time Tuesday. They also called up reliever Domingo German and put outfielder Clint Frazier (post-concussion migraines) on the 60-day disabled list.

MLB.com ranks Sheffield as the Yankees’ No. 1 overall prospect.

He had a solid season in the minors, going 1-2 with a 2.25 ERA in five starts at Double-A before getting promoted to Triple-A, whereh e went 5-4 with a 2.57 ERA in 16 games as a starter.

Wary of Sheffield’s workload and curious to see if his high-powered left arm could help in the majors in the bullpen, they shifted him to relief work in late August.

After moving to the bullpen, Sheffield went 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA in four regular season games.

“It’s been fine,” Sheffield said of shifting to the bullpen. “I know that early on it was kind of rocky just because getting the routine down was hard. But now I’m comfortable and ready to do what I can do.”

Boone said the Yankees want Sheffield to be prepared for anything.

“I would say no specific plan as far as, not necessarily a specific role for him,” Boone said. “He’s someone that potentially gives us a little bit of length. He’s not someone who’s built up as a starter for most of the season, but he’s still a guy that we feel like could give us a couple innings if we need it.”