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DA: Remains exhumed from Hanover Twp. cemetery have been identified

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West Hazleton man charged in pistol-whipping of teen

<p>With spring training ending in a little over a week, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders are beginning to take shape.</p><p>The New York Yankees&#8217; Triple-A affiliate received an infusion of talent Wednesday night.</p><p>First baseman Tyler Austin, outfielder Billy McKinney and relievers Ben Heller and Giovanny Gallegos were all optioned to the RailRiders prior to the Yankees&#8217; game against the Baltimore Orioles. The quartet joins recently demoted top prospects Gleyber Torres, Miguel Andujar and Chance Adams, who were all optioned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre within the last week-and-a-half.</p><p>Veteran 40-man catcher Kyle Higashioka was also optioned recently and 25-year-old reliever Anyelo Gomez has rejoined the club after being a Rule 5 Draft returnee from the Atlanta Braves.</p><p>&#8220;Personally, (my spring&#8217;s) been good. Working on some stuff and getting in shape for the season,&#8221; Heller said last week. &#8220;I think that&#8217;s kind of what it&#8217;s all about for us &#8212; trying to develop in order to help the big-league club. A big part of that last year was in Scranton and it was a lot of fun kind of getting to go on that playoff run and be part of a really good team there.&#8221;</p><p>Austin joins an infield that already includes the likes of Andujar, who seriously pushed Brendan Drury for the starting job with the Yankees, and Torres, who will split time between both second base and shortstop. In addition to his starting gig in the outfield, McKinney could also be in the mix for some reps at first base after starting to see some time at the position during the Arizona Fall League.</p><p>Both Austin and McKinney were in contention for New York&#8217;s last roster spot but instead will see everyday playing time with the RailRiders.</p><p>&#8220;Last year was not an ideal situation for me,&#8221; Austin said last week of his pre-camp foot fracture. &#8220;I&#8217;m on a one-legged scooter wheeling around. To get a chance to go out and play and enjoy this weather with this group of guys is awesome.&#8221;</p><p>While Austin didn&#8217;t do enough to make the final cuts, he still impressed new boss Aaron Boone.</p><p>The Yankees manager had a glowing review of Austin after he went 1-for-1 on March 16 against Houston.</p><p>&#8220;A lot of hard contact,&#8221; Boone said earlier this spring. &#8220;I think the at-bat qualities what has stood out to, you know? He&#8217;s done a good job of controlling the strike zone and the power has been evident. His ability to drive the other way, and even to center field, is impressive.</p><p>&#8220;I know he&#8217;s battled a lot of different things injury-wise. So far, it&#8217;s good to see him healthy and putting together a good spring.&#8221;</p><p>Heller and Gallegos join what is forming to be an impressive bullpen. The pair joins Gomez and Coshow, each of whom have spent time at big-league camps this spring.</p><p>The bullpen should be another weapon the RailRiders will be able to use this season.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">New York Yankees First baseman Tyler Austin was one of four players optioned to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders on Tuesday. Outfielder Billy McKinney and relievers Ben Heller and Gio Gallegos will join Austin in Triple-A. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/web1_railr3.jpg</photo0><caption0>New York Yankees First baseman Tyler Austin was one of four players optioned to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders on Tuesday. Outfielder Billy McKinney and relievers Ben Heller and Gio Gallegos will join Austin in Triple-A. </caption0><photoCredit0>Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader </photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By DJ Eberle</p><p>djeberle@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach DJ Eberle at 570-991-6398 or on Twitter @ByDJEberle</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Tyler Austin, Billy McKinney, Ben Heller and Gio Gallegos optioned to RailRiders