The New York Yankees stepped into the 2024 MLB season with visible gaps in the starting rotation. Ace Gerrit Cole got injured in the spring and was asked to sit on 60-day IL with an elbow nerve inflammation injury. While Cole remains on non-surgical rehabilitation, prospect Luis Gil was promoted as the fifth starter.
Undoubtedly, the New York Yankees have begun the season on a high. However, cracks have started to develop in the pitching rotation after Nestor Cortes’s blowout in the second start of the season. Given the circumstances, an informed radio host fears a rotation meltdown due to a top problem.
Sal Licata Urge Yankees Rotational Pitchers To Go Deeper In Starts!
After Gerrit Cole confirmed his elbow nerve inflammation injury, the New York Yankees promoted Nestor Cortes as opening day starter against the Houston Astros. Given the last-minute decision, Cortes had little time to prepare mentally or physically. However, the pitcher came well and posted a decent five-innings start. He allowed four runs in five hits. But overall, the Yanks snatched a thrilling 5-4 victory. However, despite a strong start to the season, Cortes fell off the bandwagon in their second start against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Cortes went for three runs in eight hits during his five-innings start in the Yank’s 7-0 blowout loss to D-Backs. It also marked the Bombers’ first and only loss of the season thus far. Naturally, questions were bound to arise.
WFAN radio host Sal Licata critiqued Nestor Cortes by calling him a problem atop that rotation. Licata argued that while Cortes is a fierce competitor, he isn’t fit to lead the rotation at the top. Coming back from multiple shoulder setbacks, the pitcher has held his innings back. And with Gerrit Cole gone for the near future, it’s important for rotation starters besides Cortes to go deep. “These starters need to start going deeper into games, or it can have a trickle-down effect,” said Sal Licata. The radio host also mentioned that short starts will cause a ripple effect on the bullpen, which the Yankees cannot afford at the moment, given the inexperience in the pen. Overall, Licata opined that while the start of the season is made of dreams, maintaining it will be a much bigger challenge for the Bronx Bombers, especially in the aftermath of injuries.
Marcus Stroman To Start In Home Opener At Yankee Stadium!
A Long Island native, Marcus Stroman’s life is about to come full circle as he gears up to start at Yankee Stadium for the New York Yankees’ home opener against the Toronto Blue Jays. Stroman was born and raised in New York and grew up as a Yankee fan. Therefore, the moment is special for him, and he intends to make it count.
Marcus Stroman revealed that he has always loved the spotlight, and he understands how playing in New York is a different challenge. But regardless of the situation, he has prepared well enough to excel at home. Stroman is confident of living his dream by guiding the Yanks to a perfect home win on Friday.
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