TAMPA, Florida – The New York Yankees went into training in the spring with serious questions about who would follow Gerrit Cole in the rotation.
A week before the team broke up camp, the picture has become much clearer.
Corey Kluber, Jameson Taillon and Jordan Montgomery seem willing to fill three of the seats, with Domingo Germán and Deivi García making cases to complete the rotation.
“Starters are tremendously important when we talk six months,” Cole said. “The health is, above all, that everyone catches the ball when asked and the performance at the moment is a bit cheerful. Of course, the regular season is what counts, but very lively. I like the position we are in and I’m excited that everyone has looked great. “
Cole is scheduled to start the regular season against Toronto at Yankee Stadium on April 1st. He scored eight, and allowed one run and four hits in five innings in his next final spring training session on Sunday against the Blue Jays.
Others, including Michael King, are in the mix to start during a season where pitch depth will be key.
“They’ve come up with an excellent approach in all areas and a very good form in a position to go out and act,” said Aaron Boone, Yankees manager. “I think the plan set up with these guys by (pitching coach) Matt Blake leading to getting these guys built right up to this point has gone really well. So with 10, 11 days to get here, at least I’m animated by where we are “.
Kluber, winner of the AL Cy Young double award, has given up two races in six innings after throwing just one entry since May 2019 due to injuries to his right forearm and shoulder.
Taillon has not been allowed to run in 5 innings and 2/3 when he returns from Tommy John surgery performed in 2019.
Montgomery has a stretch of nine unscored entries after giving up a run during the first entry of his initial outing. The left-hander has appeared in just 12 games since Tommy John’s surgery in 2018.
Germán has not surrendered more than nine tickets after not pitching since September 2019 due to violation of baseball’s domestic violence policy. In 2019 he was 18-4 years old
“When you have a very well-formed staff of guys who challenge each other, support each other, have very good conversions between them, I think that can benefit the whole group and them individually.” Boone said. “I liked what I saw from that point of view at the beginning here, as these guys grow up as teammates.”
Reinforcements from within can also provide an increase in the season, as Luis Severino, a 19-game winner in 2018, could return from Tommy John surgery in June or July.