WHAT A RELIEF FOR YANK PEN
Wilson could be back soon after MRI reveals no major issues in his shoulder
TAMPA — The Yankees may have caught a huge break. Justin Wilson, who left Monday night’s game with shoulder tightness, may not be out for too long. There was “nothing actionable” from the MRI on the shoulder and the lefty reliever is considered day-to-day.
Wilson could begin a throwing program in a few days, the team announced on Wednesday. While he might not be ready for the season-opener on April 1, he could be back soon.
That is a huge boost for a bullpen that was already trying to absorb the loss of Zack Britton. Britton was diagnosed early in spring training with a bone chip that required surgery, Wilson was seen as a natural replacement. Britton will miss around three months recovering from the surgery.
Aaron Boone said there was “nothing alarming,” that Wilson felt before the issue Monday night. He threw a pitch and started clenching and shaking his hand before immediately calling into the dugout for a trainer.
The Yankees signed Wilson, who they had in 2015, to a oneyear deal with an option for 2022, as part of their reshaping of the bullpen this winter. After dumping Adam Ottavino’s $9 million salary on the Red Sox, the Yankees added Wilson and Darren O’Day.
While the Yankees manager was comfortable talking about their pitching depth all spring, there have been some hits with Britton and pitching prospect Clarke Schmidt both out early in camp.
“I’ve been saying, I’ve been impressed by our depth,” Boone said. “We have a number of guys we can turn to. But I hope this is something that doesn’t set WIlly back too long.”
It certainly would not hurt to bring in a veteran reliever as insurance at this point.
The Yankees have familiar faces in lefties Nestor Cortes Jr. and Tyler Lyons, both of whom pitched for the Yankees in 2019, here on minor league deals. Lyons also pitched for the Bombers in 2020.
They also brought lefty Lucas Luetge into camp on minor league deal. Luetge has opened eyes this spring with six scoreless appearances. Sunday, however, the lefty who has not pitched in the big leagues since 2015, allowed two homers to the Blue Jays.
Right-hander Asher Wojciechowski, who was also in camp on a minor league contract looking for a roster spot, left Sunday’s game with a lat issue. Boone said there is no timeline for his return.
DOWN DAY FOR DEIVI
With the Yankees making final roster decisions this week, Deivi Garcia went out and gave up four earned runs in three innings of work against the Blue Jays on Wednesday. The 21-year old also probably let slip away his chance at a rotation spot on Opening Day.
We have really, really talented people here. I have really talented teammates, and for me it was always about doing my job and giving the best I have every single outing I’ve gone out there,” Garcia said through interpreter Marlon Abreu. “I have given the best I have
and that’s really it, you know, that’s really the focus for me is just to provide the best I have and really focus on my job.”
Domingo German, who has been ahead in the so-called battle for the fifth starting spot, is expected to pitch once more before the Yankees break camp on Monday.
Garcia struggled with command and finding his velocity. The Blue Jays got seven hits — including two homers — of Garcia. He walked two and struck out two.
“Probably just not as much life with all those pitches in the zone, hung some breaking balls that they got put in play hard, maybe not quite the light through the zone and then,not the great command,” Boone said. “I thought stuff was all right, but just not that crisp finish that we’ve seen where you know that bite on the breaking ball or locating it properly. Bichette did a really nice job that first time with two strikes and kind of fighting it off over there, and then Hernandez gets to a ball up in the zone that was a pretty special swing he put on that. “Overall, not as sharp.” Garcia has struck out 14 and pitched to a 3.86 ERA over 14 innings pitched this spring.
While Garcia likely won’t have a roster spot on Opening Day, he will likely be the first to be called up to make a spot start this year. Considering how careful the Yankees — and all of baseball — feel they have to be with pitchers workloads after the abbreviated 2020 season, that could come early in the year.