The New York Yankees have a pretty shaky starting pitching group. Since the offseason began, the NY side was the favorite to sign several starters in free agency. But they only signed Marcus Stroman for a two-year deal worth $37 million. If Stroman can impress the team in 2024, his contract can even extend to a three-year deal. Meanwhile, the Bronx Bombers are struggling with their starting pitchers, as that lineup is not too deep. It was a concern even before the spring training began. Moreover, the fans thought they didn’t need to think the worst could happen.
But it did happen as their ace pitcher Gerrit Cole sustained a right elbow injury, and as a result, he will miss a couple of months of game time. The team initially sent the AL 2023 Cy Young winner for an MRI. It seems there has been no tear on his UCL. Hence, Cole will not need Tommy John surgery. But he will be out for one to two months, as per Jon Heyman of The New York Post. Due to that, the Yankees have been looking for a replacement or options to increase starting pitching depth. Lately, Brian Cashman may have shown interest in adding Michael Lorenzen.
Yankees Targeting Michael Lorenzen
Since Gerrit Cole will be out for one or two months, perhaps a little bit more time, the Yankees can work on adding more starting pitchers. The New York Post’s Jon Heyman reported that the NY side is thinking about Michael Lorenzen. Not only that, the Yankees enquired about the righty pitcher, Heyman said on Thursday. Lorenzen is a free agent right now. Last year, the right-handed hurler played for the Detroit Tigers and the Philadelphia Phillies. He was good, as he was able to make it to the All-Star game for the first time in his career. With the Tigers, Lorenzen posted 3.58 ERA.
But with the Phillies, the righty pitcher had a 5.51 ERA. Anyway, Lorenzen finished the 2023 season with a 1.21 WHIP, a 4.18 ERA, as well as 111 strikeouts over 153 innings. The 32-year-old hurler has played both the role of a starter and a relief pitcher in his career. But if the Yankees land him, Lorenzen will have to fill the depth in the starting pitcher’s group. Last season, Lorenzen mostly played the role of a starting pitcher. Clearly, he can’t replace Cole. But the Yankees have to come to a decision quickly about him because the Opening Day is only two weeks away.
How’s Gerrit Cole Right Now?
On Wednesday, Mark W. Sanchez and Jon Heyman reported via The New York Post that further testing is necessary to determine the severity of Gerrit Cole’s injury. The scans did not show any tear in ulnar collateral ligament of Cole. But the AL 2023 Cy Young winner is still consulting with a specialist in person.
Moreover, the Yankees manager mentioned that the team is still in the phase of gathering informations. The next stage will be when the side can weigh in to discuss what they are dealing with here. Aaron Boone mentioned that it is not always easy to have clarity after first and second looks.
Stay tuned with http://www.sportsnewsinternational.com/ for more such updates about your favorite MLB team.
