HAPP, HAPP HAPPY

In tough spring, another strong outing from J.A. gives Yanks reason to smile

CLEARWATER – J.A. Happ has things in line. The veteran lefty worked on keeping his body aligned properly during his delivery this year. It has so far resulted in a very solid spring training. Happ gave up a home run — just the second run he has allowed in four starts this spring — Monday but turned in another strong outing.

Happ struck out five in four innings and did not walk a batter against the Phillies. Over 13 innings this spring, Happ has allowed just those two runs, struck out 16 and walked one batter.

“I think you start with the crispness of the fastball, which was there [in 2019] a little more sporadic, and

I think definitely returned to some degree late in the year,” Yan- kees manager Aaron Boone said. “That’s been there the whole [spring].

“I think he’s doing a better job with his secondary pitches. … So I feel like his pitch mix is a little tightened up. But delivery wise and everything, he’s in a good spot.”

Happ, 37, spent all winter working at the Yankees complex, trying to bounce back after a horrible 2019 in which he was stung by the home run. Part of that was keeping his body properly aligned during his delivery to make better use of his bottom half.

It’s paying off. Monday, Happ said he felt himself falling off line at time, but was able to quickly correct himself. He is pleased with the progress but knows that the real test is once the regular season starts.

“I don’t know if you know how to predict those type of

things but it can certainly give us some confidence going into the season,” Happ said. “You try to flush it if it’s bad and take the positive it’s if it’s going well. But, you know, we do have two weeks to go so hopefully the progression continues, but overall I felt like I lost it at times today but was able to kind of rein back in my delivery. And, you know, rather quickly so that was good, making some adjustments.”

Maybe you can’t predict how it will carry into the season, but there might be an indicator. Last spring, Happ allowed six homers in 11.1 innings pitched.

Happ was stung by baseballs that were more lively in 2019 than any previous year. Happ pitched to a 4.91 ERA in 30 starts and one appearance out of the bullpen. He struck out 140.

Happ allowed a careerhigh 34 home runs in 161.1 innings pitched and across baseball, hitters crushed a record-busting 6,776 homers.

“I think he was searching a little bit the first half. I think he was trying really hard to find it because he wasn’t quite where he wanted to be,” Boone said. “And again, I don’t think he was far off. But I think it was a challenge for him kind of grinding through getting there, and I think late in the year he got there. And then I know he worked really hard in the winter to kind of find that. He came in having already thrown some ‘pens, and he’s really hit the ground running. He looks great.”