Yankees may consider using an ‘opener’ out of the bullpen
With starting pitchers Luis Severino and C.C. Sabathia likely to begin the season on the injured list, Yankees manager Aaron Boone may at times turn to the use of a bullpen opener, much like the Rays did in 2018.
Chalk this up to things you didn’t expect to hear from the Yankees only a few weeks into Spring Training. But following the news that starting pitchers Luis Severino and C.C. Sabathia are likely to begin the regular season on the injured list, manager Aaron Boone is seriously considering using a relief pitcher as an ‘opener,’ instead of a traditional starter at times in 2019.
As Boone recently told Coley Harvey of ESPN:
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"“I could see it being something we consider from time to time,” Boone said. “I don’t see it a lot, but yeah, I could see it coming into play on certain occasions. When we’re healthy and right, obviously I don’t see it much, but there’s some days where you could see it.”"
And you wonder why MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred is trying to get the three-batter minimum instituted for all pitchers.
The Yankees expected Opening Day starter, Luis Severino, has been shut down for at least two weeks following rotator cuff inflammation and a subsequent cortisone shot.
Not that Sabathia would have been asked to take Sevy’s spot at the top of the rotation, anyway, but the big fella suspended for the first five games of the new season, and is still recovering from offseason knee surgery and an unexpected angioplasty.
Therefore, Boone is looking for reinforcements for the rotation that may come in the form of youngsters Domingo German, Jonathan Loaisiga or Luis Cessa. Yeah, I’m not excited by that final option either. However, general manager Brian Cashman seems to be.
"“We love their ability,” Cashman said. “The tool sets are all there for them to be exciting, talented players.”"
Perhaps Cash is optimistic because he prefers the idea of a legit starter taking the ball in the first frame as opposed to watching Tommy Kahnle, Chad Green or Adam Ottavino pitch in far different circumstances.
The Yanks did try out the ‘opener’ option last season, when Jonathan Holder pitched the first inning on Sept. 24 against the Rays before turning the ball over to seven different relievers. Talk about blowing through your bullpen, which is why I’m whole-heartedly against this strategy.
Anyhow, the Yankees still have three starters to choose from when it comes to who will get the ball against the Orioles on March 28 at 1:05 in the Bronx. Whether it’s Masahiro Tanaka, J.A. Happ or the newcomer James Paxton, facing the O’s and Tigers through April 7 should definitely help.