It is crystal clear that recurring injuries have taken over the New York Yankees camp this season. Since the start of the year, things have not looked good for the club. Moreover, as the season progressed, the injury list just kept on growing. Meanwhile, as the Yanks enter the final stages of the playoff push, it’s time to undertake some desperate measures.
In the past couple of weeks, the New York Yankees’ pitching rotation has completely collapsed. After Domingo German entered the restricted list, Carlos Rodon and Nestor Cortes landed on IL with respective injuries. Hence, as the club is currently low on starters, the manager is devising a fresh plan to use a key reliever in a different role which could help put an end to pitching woes.
Yankees Looking To Upgrade Reliever Michael King Into Starters Role
The New York Yankees have lost two starters, Domingo German and Nestor Cortes, for the rest of the season. While Carlos Rodon is battling through his hamstring injury, his return isn’t guaranteed. Hence, the Yanks need an immediate fix. In a bid to curb the starting pitching woes, the Bronx Bombers fielded relievers in the past three straight games. The club’s bullpen this season has definitely been a lot better than the rotation. Meanwhile, Aaron Boone, the manager, has a special plan for key reliever Michael King. King opened on Saturday in a 3-1 loss to Miami Marlins. But Boone apparently wants to use King as a full-fledged starter. But with less than 45 games on the schedule, can King get ready in time?
For starters, it’s worth noting that Michael King has always been a starter for the most part of his minor league career. Moreover, since 2021, he has adapted to multiple bullpen roles. The pitcher has come out as a reliever, opener, and closer. Even prior to the start of the 2023 season, King desired to return as a starter. Now, with the incessant injuries, the reliever can finally have his moment. Having said that, the pitcher has to prepare well enough to last deep if he intends to become a starter. The skipper Aaron Boone has a plan to stretch him out in the next few games to see if he can pitch deep. If all things work out, Michael King can officially start as a starter sometime in the near future.
Jhony Brito, Randy Vasquez Inducted Into Rotation
Gerrit Cole and Luis Severino remained the only active members of the New York Yankees rotation after Nestor Cortes and Carlos Rodon landed in IL. Hence, as reinforcements, the club recalled right-handed pitchers Jhony Brito and Randy Vasquez from Triple-A. Further, as of Saturday morning, both reinforcements have been inducted into the rotation as full-time starters.
With the injured pitchers’ return in flux, Brito and Vasquez could see themselves in the major league till the end of the ongoing season. Overall, the New York Yankees have made efforts to salvage the dire situation. With just 44 games left on the schedule, the team will have to pull a rabbit out of the hat to secure a playoff berth.