Bleeding Yankee Blue: ALL EYES ON YANKEES NEW STARTER!

Wednesday, June 13, 2018

ALL EYES ON YANKEES NEW STARTER!

Source: Rich Schultz/Getty Images North America

After Masahiro Tanaka injured both calf muscles tagging up from third to home on Saturday against the Mets, the Yankees were left with a unenviable decision. What do we do next? Aaron Boone told the media that the team would fill the void left by Tanaka with someone internally. As Tanaka headed to the DL potentially for weeks, the Yankees announced that he would be replaced in the rotation with a virtual no name who's last start was with Double A Trenton.

Jonathan Loaisiga is a 23-year-old right handed pitcher who has a 6-1 record, 3.00 ERA, 58 strikeouts over 10 starts across Double A and Single A. "He's really talented, we think he has a very bright future," Boone said about Loaisiga. "His stuff is really good. He's a guy that pounds the strike zone," reported ESPN on Tuesday. Loaisiga will start on the 40th anniversary celebration of Ron Guidry's 18 strikeout game on Thursday evening against the Tampa Bay Rays. Maybe Louisiana Lighting can share some of his spark with the young rookie.

Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America

Many have speculated why the Yankees didn't consider stretching out Chad Green or David Hale, both who have started before. Luis Cessa still remains on the DL so he was not on the short list of potential replacements. "Luis Cessa will get a few more rehab starts. The 26-year-old right-hander allowed two runs over 1 2/3 innings for the Class A Tampa on Monday night, throwing 19 of 46 pitches for strikes."We want to build him up as a starter," Boone said as reported by the Tampa Bay Times.

Source: NJ.com

"Just getting to know [Loaisiga] a little bit this spring, we don't think he'll be overwhelmed pitching here at Yankee Stadium in the big leagues," Boone said. "We feel like his repertoire, his stuff will allow him to have a chance to be successful for us," reported ESPN. Larry Rothschild, the Yankee pitching coach, does not believe Justus Sheffield or Chance Adams were ready to make the leap to the big leagues but yet don't appear to be concerned about starting a kid who came back from Tommy John surgery last year and who has not pitched in the major leagues.

This bold move by the Yankees may just pay off for them as they seek answers to their pitching questions. I will be in the stands on Thursday night and will provide my insight as we hold our breath and keep our eyes on the new Yankee starter Jonathan Loaisiga.