Yankees Seventh Inning Candidates Jacob Lindgren, James Pazos Struggle

With Aroldis Chapman suspended for 30 games, the eighth and ninth inning duties to start the season will belong to Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances circa 2015. That said, the biggest bullpen question surrounding the New York Yankees is who will step-up and handle the seventh inning to bridge the gap between Yankees starters and the back-end of their bullpen.

With Justin Wilson and Adam Warren no longer in town, two of the leading candidates coming into Spring Training were 22-year old southpaw Jacob Lindgren and 24-year old left-hander James Pazos.

Both pitchers made their spring training debut on Wednesday afternoon against the Philadelphia Phillies, and unfortunately they both struggled.

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After two solid innings from Ivan Nova and Diego Moreno, the ‘Strikeout Factory’ Jacob Lindgren entered today’s ballgame in the top of the fifth with the Yankees leading 3-2 and he never even came close to finding the strike zone. As a matter of fact, Lindgren loaded the bases thanks to consecutive four-pitch walks, a sacrifice bunt and a plunked batter. Lindgren then proceeded to walk in the tieing run thanks to another four-pitch walk to Maikel Franco, effectively ending his day.

RHP Anthony Swarzak came in to replace Lindgren and immediately gave up a two-RBI single to Darin Ruff and another RBI single later in the inning, with all runs of course charged to Lindgren.

Jacob Lindgren’s final line on the day was 0.1 IP, 0 hits, 4 runs (all earned), 3 BB and a 108.00 ERA.

Following Swarzak was the Yankees other young left-hander James Pazos, and unfortunately his performance wasn’t any better.

Pazos entered the ball game in the top of the sixth with one out and a runner on third and immediately allowed that runner to score on an fielders choice that was later turned into an error. The very next hitter lined a sharp single to center field, but Pazos eventually got Darin Ruff to ground into an inning-ending double play.

The Yankees sent Pazos back to the hill for the seventh inning and he allowed the first two hitters to reach base safely after plunking one and walking the other on four straight balls. The very next hitter lined an RBI single to center, ending Pazos’ spring debut in disappointing style.

Pazos’ final line on the day: 0.2 IP, 2 hits, 3 runs (all earned), 1 BB and a 40.50 ERA.

Again, I stress that this is all based on just one spring training performance from both Lindgren and Pazos, but you can’t hide the fact that their dismal performances were both alarming to say the least.

If their struggles continue, the Yankees might have to look elsewhere for a seventh-inning swing-man. One name in particular that comes to mind is 25-year old LHP Chasen Shreve, who has yet to pitch in live games so far this spring.

Stay tuned.