Yankees demote Michael King and bring back surprise 2019 NYY

The Yankees have demoted Michael King … and a familiar face is now back in the Bronx.

Never underestimate the New York Yankees to get their hands on dominant left-handed pitchers. Also, never underestimate them to get some of the most mediocre ones in the mix, too.

Prior to Tuesday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays, the team sent Michael King back down to the Alternate Site after he was shelled yet again on Monday night. He now owns a 7.76 ERA and 1.54 WHIP in nine games (four starts) in 2020.

And in his place, the Bombers have promoted — drumroll please — Tyler Lyons! The left-hander was with the Yankees briefly in 2019 and now he’s back to, ostensibly, fill some innings and perhaps provide the bullpen with some rest in the final week of the season.

The left-hander has been at the Alternate Site for some time now and with the Bombers’ eternal need for a left-hander in the bullpen (outside of Aroldis Chapman and Zack Britton), fans can expect to see a decent amount of him against the Blue Jays and Miami Marlins this week. After all, he somehow made the postseason roster last year.

Lyons, who spent his first six MLB seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, was up with the Yanks for 11 games in 2019, registering a 4.15 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 8.2 innings of work. He struck out an impressive 12 batters and issued just two walks. However, he mostly appeared in mop-up duty, outside of a few other opportunities, which featured two losses, a hold and a win.

Unfortunately, this means the end for King’s 2020 season — he won’t be returning without another injury.

So, assuming the Yankees are up big or down big in the coming games, expect to see Lyons. Who knows, maybe Aaron Boone will get a little crazy and try him in some lefty-lefty matchups!

With the Yankees set to take on the Jays at 6:30 p.m. ET, here’s who they’ll be rolling with. Gerrit Cole on the mound backed by a stacked lineup. Hopefully this one gets out of hand in their favor and Lyons can get some action immediately.

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