Yankees reliever Lou Trivino‘s journey back to the mound hit a roadblock as a recent setback forced him to halt his rehab process. Trivino, who underwent Tommy John surgery in May 2023, had been making strides in his recovery until he was sidelined with inflammation in his right elbow.
Yankees’ Lou Trivino faces delay, Effross shows progress
The Yankees had taken a gamble on Lou Trivino during spring training, investing $1.5 million in the hope that the seasoned reliever would return to form this summer. If Trivino could replicate his pre-surgery performance, there was potential for a lucrative $5 million club option for the 2025 season.
However, those plans have been put on hold as Lou Trivino’s anticipated return is now delayed, likely until at least August, due to the setback. Although initial evaluations indicate that the issue is minor and not related to his ligaments, Trivino faces a four-week shutdown that extends into June.
Manager Aaron Boone clarified that Trivino’s setback is a setback, but emphasized that the primary concern is not related to his reconstructed elbow ligament. Despite the setback, there remains optimism within the Yankees organization for Trivino’s eventual return to the bullpen.
Trivino, 32, has been on the rehabilitation path since rejoining the Yankees through a free agent signing on Valentine’s Day. While he made an appearance in the clubhouse before Friday’s game against the Rays, Trivino opted not to speak to the media.
The Yankees initially acquired Trivino in a trade with the Oakland Athletics in July 2022, alongside Frankie Montas, in exchange for four prospects. Although Trivino struggled with the Athletics in the 2022 season, posting a 6.47 ERA, his performance drastically improved after joining the Yankees, where he boasted a 1.66 ERA in 25 outings.
Prior to his setback, Trivino’s fellow rehabbing reliever Scott Effross received a more positive update. Effross, who missed the entire 2023 season due to Tommy John surgery and underwent back surgery last December, has been progressing well with bullpen sessions in Tampa.
Effross, known for his sidearm delivery, showcased his talent with the Cubs before being traded to the Yankees in 2022. Despite a promising start with the Yankees, a right shoulder strain led to Tommy John surgery in October of the same year. However, if Effross continues to recover without any complications, he could potentially return from the injured list by July.
As Trivino and Effross navigate their respective recoveries, the Yankees remain hopeful that both relievers will rejoin the team later in the season. With Trivino’s setback addressed and Effross nearing a return to the mound, there’s cautious optimism for bolstering the Yankees’ bullpen depth in the months ahead.
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This is another injury setback they never announced until they had no choice. They knew about Effross in December but they didn’t tell anyone until they had Boone announce it in Day 1 of Spring Training.