A busy early week for the red hot New York Yankees

Stephen Drew takes a swing. (Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports)

The New York Yankees have been busy early this week as the club has won seven of their last eight games, and eight of their last ten.

Masahiro Tanaka Dominant:

The week started out with a two game series against the Washington Nationals on Tuesday night, in which Yankees ace Masahiro Tanaka got the best of Nationals ace Max Scherzer. Tanaka, who is now 4-1 on the season, and 2-0 coming off the disabled list with a strained forearm, is now pitching to a 2.48 earned run average with 39 strikeouts in 36.1 innings this season.

Stephen Drew leaves the yard Again:

Tuesday night also had signs of promise for Yankees 2^nd baseman Stephen Drew as he hit his second multi homerun game of the season. Drew, who is batting .173 has a lot more to show as of late. Drew has contributed with some big hits this year for the Yanks, and has still been able to deliver nine homers, including two multi-homer games in four days and 21 runs batted in. Drew has also played an exceptional second base, and although he is not Cano, Yankees fans need to look at the big picture which shows Drew doing just enough to stay in the lineup.

Brendan Ryan activated, shows immediate impact:

It may have taken Brendan Ryan until mid-June to finally make his way to the Bronx, but the Yankees activated Ryan off the 60-day disabled list on Tuesday afternoon and he made an immediate impact. Ryan batted ninth and played shortstop in place of Didi Gregorius, who had the day off against the lefty Geo Gonzalez. Ryan went 2-for-3 with a run scoring triple to start a four run rally in the seventh. Ryan also singled and was hit by a pitch. Ryan gives the Yankees options off the bench, and Yankee fans could see lot of him against left handed pitching.

Ramon Flores sent down:

With the activation of Brendan Ryan off the disabled list, the Yankees have optioned young outfielder Ramon Flores to Triple-A Scranton/Wilks-Barre. Flores, was the Yankees regular left fielder for the time being, as Brett Gardner moved to center for the injured Jacoby Ellsbury. Flores had three hits on Tuesday night against a premier right hander in Max Scherzer. The move means the Yankees will carry only three outfielders as of now with Yankees utility man Garret Jones being the extra if need be.

Andrew Miller to DL:

The Yankees have reported that star closer Andrew Miller has been put on the 15 day disabled list. Miller, who has 17 saves and an earned run average of 1.03 has a strained forearm muscle. The injury shuts the flame thrower down for at least 10 days, but the Yankees may not see him for a month.

Dellin Betances to Close:

The injury to Miller means that Dellin Betances will slide up and replace Miller in the ninth. The 6-8 right hander has been more than spectacular for the Yankees pitching to an earned run average of 0.28, while posting 59 punch-outs in 32.1 innings pitched.

Chris Martin up, Jose Pirela down:

The Yankees announced after Wednesday’s matinee that the team has called up right handed relief pitcher Chris Martin, and has optioned infielder Jose Pirela to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Pirela played in 18 games with the Yanks, batting .256 with one homerun and one run batted in. Martin will add depth to the bullpen in a middle inning role.

Ivan Nova almost ready:

After throwing a bullpen on Wednesday afternoon at Yankee Stadium Ivan Nova felt ready to join the rotation. The Yankees right hander has had a long journey back from Tommy John surgery. The Yankees are set to re evaluate Nova after his next rehab start and could bring him up not long after that. Nova made his first rehab start Monday, reportedly hitting 95 mph, allowing three hits and a run in 4.2 innings for Single-A Tampa. Next comes a start Saturday for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Yankees sign reliever Sergio Santos:

The Yankees have signed Sergio Santos to a minor league deal. Santos will report to Double-A Trenton. The right handed reliever has pitched in 12 games for the Dodgers this season, posting a 4.73 with 15 strikeouts.

Jacoby Ellsbury update:

Jacoby Ellsbury will travel with the Yankees as they start a road trip to Baltimore and then later to Miami. Ellsbury who has been sidelined with a knee sprain was seen running the bases before Wednesday’s game at Yankee Stadium. Before going on the disabled list, Ellsbury was batting .324 with 14 stolen bases in 37 games.

A-Rod 3k watch:

Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez is eight hits away from the historic 3,000. Just something to keep an eye on moving forward.

The Yankees have an off day today, and will kick off a three game set with the Orioles in Baltimore on Friday night. Michael Pineda will have the ball for the Yanks.