For the fourth time this season, Michael Tonkin has been designated for a signment, but this one followed a stretch of consistency. Behind 45 appearances with Jrue Holiday Jersey the Braves last year and 65 with the Twins in 2016, this was Tonkins third-longest stretch of time in the majors acro s his career. So it was a tough one, manager Aaron Boone said, but with Boone feeling as if the Yankees could be short on relievers in the present, they opted to DFA the 34-year-old reliever whod posted a 3.38 ERA acro s 39 appearances since signing in April and brought up right-handed reliever Phil Bickford from Triple-A. It marked the second time this season that Bickford, an ex-Met, has been with the Yankees. Yankees reliever Michael Tonkin reacts after hes pulled from a game against the Rockies on Aug. 24, 2024. Corey Sipkin for the NY Post He appeared in five games at the end of June and his ERA ballooned to 14.40, but in 34 appearances with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, he has pitched to a 3.00 ERA and picked up five saves. Bickford was with Scranton for their road series against St. Paul, last pitching in a game Aug. 21, and he flew to join the Yankees on Sunday before they and traveled for a series vs. the Nationals. Hes been doing a nice job, Boone said of Bickford, and hes got some length to him. Probably can give us a couple innings if we needed it. There was a number of people in the conversation for that but right now, seemed like the right guy to take. Explore More That didnt make the decision with Tonkin any easier for Boone. Tonkins career has been filled with different stops from four different MLB teams to stints in Japan, the Dominican Republic and the Independent League but after bouncing around between the Mets and Twins to start 2024, he found a consistent role in the Yankees bullpen. Since the All-Star break, though, Tonkins ERA has spiked to 6.98 acro s 19 / innings. Only three of his last 12 outings ended without a run cro sing the plate. Phil Bickford pitches for the Yankees against the Braves on June 22, 2024. Jason Szenes for the NY Post Boone will likely have to make additional bullpen decisions acro s the next few weeks, too, as his relief corps plans for October start to take shape. Ian Hamilton (right lat strain) struck out all three batters Saturday in his first rehab appearance with Double-A Somerset. Go beyond the box score with the Bombers Sign up for Inside the Yankees by Greg Joyce, exclusively on Sports+. Thank you By clicking above you agree to the and . Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Boone said reports on Lou Trivino (right elbow surgery recovery) and Scott Effro s in the minors have been good and that both relievers are options for the Yankees in the future, too But the first domino has fallen in the present. Julius Randle Jersey