Farm report: D.J. Mitchell

Righthander D.J. Mitchell was among those mentioned as a spot-start candidate for the injured Bartolo Colon, and though Mitchell's chance didn't come this week, it's not because he hasn't performed for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Entering Thursday, Mitchell was 4-5 with a 3.04 ERA in 10 starts. The 24-year-old out of Clemson, selected by the Yankees in the 10th round of the 2008 draft, isn't overpowering, as his fastball generally averages in the low 90s. He has 44 strikeouts and 26 walks in 68 innings this season, but he's held the opposition to a .248 average.

Mitchell spent most of 2010 with Double-A Trenton, going 11-4 with a 4.06 ERA in 22 starts and holding hitters to a .183 average with runners in scoring position before a promotion near the end of the season to Scranton, where he went 2-0 with a 3.57 ERA in three starts.

During the 2007 season at Clemson, Mitchell transitioned from position player to pitcher. He led his team's starters in ERA (3.47) in 2008.