The Yankees struggling bullpen encountered another setback on Tuesday. The team officially made a statement that reliever Lou Trivino was scheduled to undergo Tommy John surgery on Wednesday. This came a day after another relief pitcher Jonathan Loaisiga required to undergo elbow surgery.
A big blow to the Yankees bullpen
The news of Lou Trivino surgery is a major setback to the Yankees’ pitching department, which is truncated due to injuries to a large number of star players. Its performance is also lacking on many fronts.
The Yankees injured list is populated by many top-rated pitchers facing various injuries. Carlos Rodon is out with a secondary backache. Luis Severino is not playing due to a strained lat. Frankie Montas has undergone shoulder surgery. After a persistent elbow inflammation, Jonathan Loaisiga needs surgery. Scott Effross has had a Tommy John surgery)
Loaisiga is the only active player that has seen game action so far this season. However, he may not return before August.
This week, Lou Trivino visited well-known orthopedist surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles to get a second opinion. Dr. ElAttrache saw the Yankees pitcher and verified his worst expectations. Lou Trivino’s surgery is scheduled to take place in Los Angeles.
“More than anything right now, kind of just feeling for [Trivino] and knowing how hard he works,” manager Aaron Boone told. “He really wanted to be a part of this. I know it’s disappointing, but the big thing right now is to support him through this.
“[W]e’re still gonna have a chance to have a really good bullpen.”
The Yankees bullpen without Lou Trivino
Boone found out on Tuesday through a text message that Lou Trivino is “bummed” about the circumstances but is looking forward to pitching again next year.
“A guy like him is going to work really hard to put himself in the best position possible,” Boone said.
Even the Yankees’ healthy relievers had been falling short. On Tuesday night, the Yankees defeated the Guardians 4–2, thanks in large part to the performance of relievers Ron Marinaccio, Wandy Peralta, and Michael King.
Clay Holmes gave away a 2-0 lead in the ninth inning of Monday’s 3-2 loss to the Guardians despite a strong start from Domingo German.
Lou Trivino is signed until the end of the season. The 31-year-old pitcher was part of the deal with Oakland that sent Montas to The Bronx at the trade deadline in July of last year.
After being plucked from Slippery Rock (Pa.) University, he spent the next six years performing for the Athletics. The veteran pitcher appeared in 25 games for the Yankees last year, pitching 21 2/3 innings. He allowed just 18 hits and 4 earned runs in 22 struck out, good for a 1.66 ERA.
Boone has said that Lou Trivino is receiving all support from the Yankees and that it would take him roughly a year to recover.
“So, right now … it’s just feeling for the person, hoping he gets through surgery well,” Boone said, “and I know he’s gonna work his tail back at some point next year.”
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