Yankees reshuffle relief corps following skewed defeat to Rays

Sunday July 21, 2024

Following Saturday’s 9-1 loss to the Rays, the Yankees made a roster adjustment to address their bullpen situation. The team had entered a ‘get through the game’ mode early on when starter Nestor Cortes was removed in the fifth inning with the Rays leading 6-0.

Manager Aaron Boone, aiming to preserve his bullpen in a lopsided game, first utilized high-leverage reliever Michael Tonkin in an extended role for the fifth and sixth innings. Subsequently, rookie left-hander Josh Maciejewski was tasked with covering the final three innings, throwing 50 pitches in the process.

As anticipated, the Yankees made a roster move post-game. Maciejewski, having thrown a substantial number of pitches, was optioned back to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. This decision allows the team to bring in a fresh arm for Sunday’s game, as Maciejewski would likely be unavailable for several days.

During his brief stint with the Yankees, 28-year-old Maciejewski performed admirably. In Saturday’s game, he allowed two runs over three innings, concluding his major league debut with a 2.57 ERA across four appearances over two short call-ups.

The Yankees are now considering their options for Sunday’s bullpen reinforcement. Two right-handed pitchers on the 40-man roster are potential candidates: veteran Ron Marinaccio and rookie Yoendrys Gomez.

Ron Marinaccio is on the mound on March 30, 2023, pitching for the Yankees against the Giants. — Twitter – @FourSavages

Marinaccio, 29, has been impressive in Triple-A, posting a 1.66 ERA in 18 appearances. His most recent outing on Friday was particularly efficient, requiring only eight pitches for a perfect inning. Moreover, Marinaccio has proven effective during his time with the Yankees this season, compiling a 1-0 record with a 2.84 ERA in 13 appearances across two separate stints from April 13 to May 10 and June 9 to June 21.
This roster move reflects the Yankees’ need to maintain bullpen flexibility and depth as they navigate the demanding schedule of a major league season.

Bullpen options for the Yankees

The Yankees are considering several options to bolster their bullpen following Saturday’s game. Yoendrys Gomez, a 24-year-old right-hander, is one potential candidate. Gomez, who hasn’t pitched since July, could provide a fresh arm. During his previous stints with the Yankees this season, he posted a 5.87 ERA in three appearances, allowing five runs over 7 2/3 innings. His Triple-A performance includes a 2-4 record with a 4.20 ERA across 15 starts.

Scott Effross, another pitcher on the 40-man roster, seems less likely to be called up based on recent comments from manager Aaron Boone. The 30-year-old sidewinding right-hander is still working his way back to his 2022 rookie form after missing last season due to Tommy John surgery and spending much of this season recovering from offseason back surgery. Effross currently has a 4.32 ERA in eight Triple-A outings.

Scott Effross, the relief pitcher, of the New York Yankees — Laurie Jaeger/Instagram

Beyond the 40-man roster options, non-roster left-handed reliever Victor Gonzalez has shown promise in Triple-A since his late June demotion. After a rocky first appearance where he allowed two runs in one-third of an inning, Gonzalez has pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings over his last four outings, striking out five batters without issuing a walk and allowing only two hits. Before being designated for assignment and outrighted to Triple-A, Gonzalez had compiled a 2-1 record with a 3.86 ERA in 27 appearances for the Yankees, though his strikeout-to-walk ratio was concerning at 11 to 13 over 23.1 innings.

The Yankees’ decision will likely be influenced by a combination of factors including recent performance, readiness to pitch, and strategic roster management. This situation underscores the ongoing challenge of maintaining bullpen depth and effectiveness throughout a long MLB season.

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