The New York Yankees have been dealing with a multitude of injuries this season, particularly to their pitching staff. Most of the starters of the current rotation serve time on the injury list. As a result of which, the bullpen had to step up for damage control. At the start of the season, the Yankees starting rotation looked like a force to be reckoned with. However, as time passed by, the bullpen’s stats outclassed the starer’s performance.
Apart from Clay Holmes, all the relievers have put up an impressive show. Their collective ERA stands at 2.83, one of the best in the whole of MLB. Moreover, the man at the center of this glory is none other than reliever Michael King. King, who guided the team to a perfect series victory Yesterday against the Cleveland Guardians, has been the only shining light in the otherwise gloomy pitching outings.
Michael King Remains The Yankees Top Thrower After Ace Gerrit Cole
Reliever Michael King, a 27-year-old right-hander, has been called upon to fill various roles in the Yankees’ injury-plagued pitching staff. He has come out of the bullpen on numerous occasions and, each time, has performed admirably. Yesterday’s outing was just another testament to his incredible ability to close the game. Up against Guardians in the ninth inning with a scoreline of 3-2, the reliever had to close the inning by securing the last three outs. With multiple variations and excellent game sense, the pitcher was able to deliver and guide the team to a much-needed series win.
This season, Michael King has been the Yankees’ savior. Apart from Gerrit Cole, the starter’s collective ERA stands at 5.32, while the bullpen’s has recorded an ERA below 3. This is the first time the Yankees bullpen has outperformed the starting rotation, and Michael King is the major contributor to it. He has a 1.56 ERA in 17.1 innings pitched, the lowest among the bullpen members. King’s success is due in part to his versatility on the mound. He has a four-pitch mix that includes a fastball, slider, changeup, and curveball, and he has shown the ability to locate all of his pitches effectively. Hence, this season, the reliever is likely to play a major role in the team’s success as injury concerns continue to pile up.
Aaron Boone Could Place Additional Responsibilities On Michael King This Season
The New York Yankees have struggled to find a consistent closer this season, major because of the lack of depth. However, they could soon promote reliever Michael King to the role. King has been the Yankees reliever for a while but never got a chance to finish up the job. Hence, owing to success on the mound this season, Bombers manager Aaron Boone is considering playing King as a closer full-time.
However, the move could come with its own risks. Michael King has a troubling history of injuries. His 2022 season was cut short due to an elbow injury. Hence, the Yankees management is a bit hesitant to field King back-to-back. However, the reliever said he is feeling good physically this season and would be up for the challenge any time the team demands. It remains to be seen if Boone is willing to pull the plug just yet.