TAMPA — The Yankees are talking about many pitchers entering spring training with a better foundation from offseason practices.
Ron Marinaccio took it literally.
A stress reaction in his shin late in the 2022 season set him back from a strong rookie season and limited his preparation for the offseason entering 2023.
However, this offseason, Marinaccio was able to incorporate all of his lower body strength training, giving him a better foundation that the Yankees believe will help him bounce back as a bullpen contributor in 2024.
“I don’t think we had a good base in camp last year because of the lack of lower body strength training and power development,” pitching coach Matt Blake said Saturday. “Last year, I think he was playing from behind the eight-ball, and it snowballed on him a little bit.”
After working toward higher-leverage appearances early in the 2023 season, Marinaccio pitched 27 in 47¹/₃ innings by July 31, when the Yankees optioned him to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He had four walks and an ERA of 4.08.
His pitches were erratic, which was especially painful for pitchers who rely on deception.
Things didn’t improve after Marinaccio reached Triple-A, with the right-hander struggling with 18 walks and an 8.80 ERA in 15¹/₃ innings.
But with a full offseason and feeling strong in his legs, Marinaccio has a chance to regain a spot in the Yankees’ bullpen, especially with Scott Efros on the 60-day disabled list at the beginning of the year. There is.
“If we can keep him healthy and get him behind the ball, he’s a key piece for us,” Blake said.
Marinaccio pitched two innings during live batting practice Saturday, and after allowing some big contact early on, he became sharper and hit an improved slider on his third pitch.
“He’s probably in the best position he’s been in a while,” manager Aaron Boone said.
Despite a recent calf injury, Jose Trevino is still healthy.
The Yankees catcher arrived at spring training with a lower leg issue, and Boone said he would miss the first week or two of Grapefruit League play.
But Trevino still continues to do bullpen sessions (including Saturday’s live session with Clark Schmidt), run, and recently started hitting.
“He’s fine,” Boone said. “But he’s not ready. It’s like he couldn’t go into a game and run as hard as he could. But everything else is what he’s doing now. He’s probably a few We are a week behind, but we can do quite a bit.”
New left-handed relief pitcher Caleb Ferguson was one of nine Yankees to take live batting practice at Steinbrenner Field on Saturday before rain fell.
“It’s an elite fastball,” Boone said. “Right now I’m playing around with his different sliders/cutters. …He was as good as advertised.”
