(Manchester, NH)- The Trenton Thunder, Double-A Affiliate of the New York Yankees, have announced that RHP Kevin Whelan has been promoted from Trenton to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (Triple-A). RHP Humberto Sanchez has been promoted from Tampa (High-A) to Trenton to take Whelan's spot on the roster.

Whelan had a 4-0 record with a 2.63 ERA and two saves in 30 games for the Thunder. He had tossed 13 shutout innings during July, and had not allowed a hit in his last four outings. In 2008, Whelan combined to post a 1-0 record with a 4.50 ERA and two saves in 24 combined appearances between Tampa (High-A) and Trenton. He also appeared in 27 games for the Thunder during the 2007 season. He was acquired by the Yankees along with RHP Anthony Claggett, and Sanchez, in exchange for OF Gary Sheffield on 11/10/06. He was originally drafted by Detroit in the fourth round of the 2005 draft. Sanchez has been with Tampa since June 9th.

He was 0-1 with a 4.76 ERA in nine games (three starts) for the Tampa Yankees. He was re-signed by the Yankees on May 1st, after being released by the Yankees April 25th. He split the 2008 season between the New York Yankees, Trenton, Tampa, and the GCL Yankees. He was 0-0 with a 4.50 ERA in two relief appearances for the Yankees. He made one start for the Thunder. He also appeared in a game for the Thunder in the Eastern League Championship Series vs. Akron. He made two starts for Tampa, and he was 0-1 with a 2.31 ERA in 12 games (nine starts) for the GCL Yankees. Following the season, he pitched for the Peoria Javelinas of the Arizona Fall League. He was originally selected by the Tigers in the 31st round of the 2001 draft.