Two big Rays bats torment Nestor Cortes, bullpen in Yankees loss
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Before Saturday’s game, Aaron Boone, while discussing Gleyber Torres’ early-season struggles, noted that several good Rays hitters got off to slow starts as well. Two of the most notable hitters, Yandy Diaz and Randy Arozarena, spent the next few hours working with the Yankees. Diaz and Arozarena both hit home runs […]
Gerrit Cole increases pitch count in latest bullpen in encouraging sign
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Patiently, carefully and with encouragement, Gerrit Cole’s growth continues. On Saturday at Tropicana Field, the Yankees ace threw 29 pitches, 13 of them breaking balls, in his third bullpen session since being suspended in March due to nerve inflammation and swelling in his right elbow. After throwing 15 pitches (all fastballs) […]
Yankees’ effective bullpen to get more reinforcements soon
The Yankees, who entered Wednesday with the lowest ERA in the majors, have some reinforcements in their bullpen. In the short term, that means Nick Vardy, who finished his rehab appearance on Tuesday feeling good, could be back on the Yankees’ active roster in time for Friday’s game against the Rays. He has been out […]
Mets reliever Drew Smith lands on injured list in bullpen blow
The Mets entered Saturday’s game with a bullpen that pitched the second-most innings in the majors, but with Drew Smith sidelined with right shoulder inflammation, they added another arm into the 15-day league game. They are already without Brooks Lally, who is also on the IL with left elbow inflammation. Carlos Mendoza said Smith first […]
Yankees have few easy answers for constructing ever-shifting bullpen
TAMPA — The Yankees finalize their roster while facing a problem common to all clubs: balancing the best possible 26-man roster combination while maintaining organizational depth. Assembling a jigsaw puzzle. Most of the time, they let what happened in front of them dictate their direction. Lewis Gil pitched as well as anyone as the fifth […]
Three Mets relievers battling for final two spots in bullpen
PORT STREET LUCIE — The Mets’ bullpen is nearly complete for the start of the season, with final decisions looming. Michael Tonkin, Johan Ramirez and Sean Reid-Foley remain in the bullpen after the team removed three other players from the roster on Saturday. Phil Bickford was designated for assignment, Shintaro Fujinami received his option to […]
Phil Bickford has another strong outing in bid for Mets’ bullpen spot
Notable items from Wednesday’s Mets’ Grapefruit League game: Bickford’s boom In the Mets vs. Marlins game in Jupiter, Florida, Phil Bickford pitched six scoreless innings with one strikeout, resulting in a 6-3 victory. The right-hander, who is a candidate for a vacant spot in the bullpen, struggled in his first appearance in camp, but has […]
Michael Tonkin makes strong case for Mets’ bullpen spot
Notable items from Saturday’s Mets’ Grapefruit League game: Slam Tonk” Mets bullpen prospect Michael Tonkin pitched two scoreless innings in the Mets’ 6-1 exhibition victory over the Astros in West Palm Beach, Florida. Michael Tonkin pitched two scoreless innings in the Mets’ 6-1 win over the Astros. Jim Russol-USA TODAY Sports The right-hander allowed one […]
Jonathan Loaisiga could be new Yankees’ Michael King of bullpen
It appears the Yankees have at least found their first successor to Michael King. Jonathan Loaisiga said he has talked with the Yankees about pitching multiple innings with a few days of rest in between. King excelled at the job before becoming a starter (and then being traded to the Padres). Loaisiga, who made his […]
Two Mets relievers battling for bullpen spots have solid outings
Notable items from Wednesday’s Mets’ Grapefruit League game: Pen pal Jorge Lopez and Shintaro Fujinami, two relief pitchers who have had mixed results this spring but could play important roles for the Mets behind strong arms in the bullpen, each pitched one inning. , he did not allow a hit and had a total of […]