The Yankees added only four players to the major league club when rosters expanded in September, calling up RHP Jose Contreras, Drew Henson, and Michel Hernandez, while signing Luis Sojo to a major league deal for the remainder of the season.

Contreras actually came off the disabled list on August 24th and replaced Jeff Weaver in the rotation. However, the Yankees sent Contreras down on the 30th in order to call-up Erick Almonte, making Almonte eligible for the playoff roster. Now healthy and confident, the 31-year-old has compiled a 32:13 K:BB with 23 H and 3 HR allowed in 28.2 IP for a 3.77 ERA over 5 starts since his return from the disabled list. This performance should be a far better match to his 2004 numbers than his early season work when he was lacking confidence while adjusting to the league and hurting. He's expected to remain in the rotation through the end of the season, though New York hasn't determined what role he'll serve if they include him on their post-season roster. Contreras remains eligible for the playoffs, because the Yankees had two pitchers on the disabled list as of August 31st.