An MRI examination revealed that Scott Effross has a torn ulnar collateral ligament and the pitcher needs Tommy John surgery, as reported by Jack Curry of the YES Network hours before the start of Game 1 of the American League Division Series between the Yankees and the Cleveland on Tuesday. The Yankees acquired Effross just before the deadline day. It came as a bombshell for both the pitcher and New York fans.
The need to undergo Tommy John surgery came as a big surprise for Scott Effross himself. He told Sports Illustrated:
“I was a little taken aback. Obviously, when you go in there, there’s the possibility of finding something you don’t want to see. For me, I think it was kind of shocking. I think every pitcher thinks it’s shocking hearing that news.”
Scott Effross became the fifth member of the Yankees’ bullpen to sit out following an injury. They have already lost Michael King, Ron Marinaccio, and Zack Britton, who are out of the playoffs due to injury. Another, Chad Green, is also injured and requires Tommy John surgery.
During the Yankees’ game against the Baltimore Orioles on September 30, Scott Effross felt something in his elbow. The Yankees didn’t think much of it and the player thought that he was hurt. He went on to pitch again on October 3 against the Rangers. It was his last outing for the Yankees and Effross had just one inning.
According to manager Aaron Boone:
“Then we pitched him in Texas, and he felt good, sharp. In his live BP on Friday, he didn’t recover the next day, and there was some concern there. So, we had the MRI and sure enough. We found out over the weekend.”
The 28-year-old made 13 appearances for the Yankees with an ERA of 2.13. He missed several games after his arrival in New York because of a shoulder strain. But when he came back from the disabled list in September, Scott Effross picked up where he left off and went on to pitch five straight scoreless games to end the season. Since he joined the Yankees, the sidearm reliever has pitched 12. 2 innings with a 2.13 ERA and 12 strikeouts to 4 walks.
Scott Effross, who was a deadline-day acquisition from the Chicago Cubs, occupied an important place in Aaron Boone’s plans for the playoff. He was expected to be one of the most potent high-leverage arms. He was a reliever who could have won games in October with his strange delivery style.
The injury to Scott Effross is a huge surprise before the ALDS, and Yankees fans took to Twitter to express their sadness.
How do you see the Yankees playing the ALDS without Scott Effross? Is it an irreplaceable loss?
