As Spring Training rolls on, let’s take a look at the latest from the Yankees’ camp.
Zack Britton Gets Surgery
The Yankees recently got some bad news regarding their star reliever, Zack Britton. The left-hander is set to have surgery conducted on his throwing elbow on Wednesday. After reporting some discomfort in a bullpen on Sunday, an MRI revealed that Britton would need to remove a bone chip in his left elbow.
According to Dr. Chris Ahmad, who will be conducting Britton’s surgery, the estimated time before the southpaw can return to live action is about 3-4 months:
This is obviously a big blow to the Yankee bullpen, which figured to be one of the strongest in the league heading into the year. A recovery time of 3-4 months puts Britton’s potential return in either June or July.
Since joining the Yankees via trade in 2018, Britton has recorded a 2.14 ERA in 111 appearances. He had recorded an ERA+ of 234 since 2019, as well. In his absence, the Bronx Bombers will need other bullpen arms, such as newcomers Darren O’Day and Justin Wilson, to step up and carry some of the late-inning load.
Lucas Luetge: Don’t Call It a Comeback
One pitcher who is hoping to replace some of Britton’s innings in the first half of this season is a fellow left-hander. Lucas Luetge is a 33-year old pitcher with some major league experience, throwing 89 innings with the Seattle Mariners.
There’s only one thing: that was six years ago.
Luetge last appeared in a major league game on April 25, 2015. He threw 2 & 1/3 scoreless innings in a loss to the Twins, and still has yet to throw another pitch in the MLB. However, that could change this season.
The Texas native has bounced around minor league systems since that 2015 season. He spent the next year at AAA in the Angels organization, then 2017 at AAA for the Reds and Orioles. After receiving Tommy John surgery, he missed all of 2018, and returned to sign a minors deal with the Diamondbacks in February 2019.
Luetge spent last year at the A’s alternate site, again waiting for a call that never came. He joined the Yankees this spring on a non-roster invite, and looks determined to finally make it back to the highest level.
In 3 innings pitched this March, he has allowed just 2 hits and no runs. Luetge has yet to walk a batter, and has struck out 8 of the 11 that he’s faced.
“He is opening eyes with how he is performing… and the quality of the stuff, too. He has swing-and-miss pitches,” assistant GM Mike Fishman told Joel Sherman.
Yanks manager Aaron Boone had praise for Luetge as well, telling reporters, “He has absolutely jumped out at us.”
With an extra spot available in the bullpen for the time being, continuing this strong start could ensure that Luetge finally ends his quest to return to the show.
Jay Bruce: Yankees’ Backup 1B?
Another player fighting for a roster spot with the Yankees is one that has considerable major league experience. Jay Bruce has logged over 1600 career games since his 2008 debut, and is attempting to continue that career with the Yankees this season.
This spring, Bruce has recorded 5 hits in 11 at-bats, including a pair of home runs.
But perhaps the most intriguing part of that March 9 game wasn’t his offense. The 33-year-old veteran started the game at first base for the Bombers, his second appearance at the position this spring.
When I projected the Yankees’ roster for Opening Day, Bruce was on it as a backup infielder. Although he is primarily an outfielder, he has experience at first base, and represents a definitive upgrade from Mike Ford in terms of offense.
Although he is also battling against Derek Dietrich (who has the added benefit of playing 2nd and 3rd in addition to 1B/outfield), Bruce is continuing to make a strong case for his inclusion on the Opening Day roster. Each one of Dietrich’s and Bruce’s at-bats are must-watch baseball for Yankee fans who wish to see which one can make the team.
Clint Frazier and Those Darn Walls
Clint Frazier and outfield fences seemingly have a strained relationship. Everyone knows the initial tipping point, which was the collision that gave Frazier a concussion in the spring of 2018.
That concussion had long, lingering effects, which you can find a detailed description of here. First, it caused him to miss a significant amount of time. It also heavily affected Frazier’s depth perception, making things a bit difficult for him in the field when he did return.
However, he came into this year fully healthy, and was given a shot of confidence when Aaron Boone declared him the team’s starting left fielder. Boone said that Frazier, “has obviously come a long way in every aspect of his game, and certainly earned his place last year when obviously nothing was given to him.”
However, those walls just can’t seem to stay out of the way.
In Tuesday’s game against Detroit, the young outfielder ran into the fence hard while chasing down what ended up being a home run.
As you can read above, he did end up staying in the game, and apparently was fine. However, it does mean that Frazier’s apparently rocky relationship with those walls hasn’t gotten any smoother.
Hopefully the fences have had enough with him now. A healthy Clint Frazier, in a full-time role, could finally break out in the way that he’s capable of in 2021.