The New York Yankees are doing their best to make sure that they have enough pitchers for the 2022 season.
They will be beginning the 2022 season without two of their top pitchers, those being veteran lefty reliever Zack Britton and starter Domingo German.
The Yankees’ pitching staff and its health will be the key to their success this season.
But with expanded rosters being allowed in April due to the lockout, the Yankees are in luck, as they have the opportunity to carry a few more pitchers than a team normally would without expanded rosters.
According to ESPN’s Marly Rivera, Yankees manager Aaron Boone says that the team will carry 16 pitchers to start the season.
Aaron Boone says the #Yankees will carry 16 pitchers; 12 position players. Gonzalez, Schmidt, Sears and Marinaccio made the team.
— Marly Rivera (@MarlyRiveraESPN) April 5, 2022
Necessary Reinforcements
There’s always a high risk for pitching injuries after a work stoppage.
Fans should keep in mind that because of the lockout, players were not allowed to access team facilities or contact team personnel.
There was also a high risk of injury for pitchers following the shortened 2020 season.
Several pitchers went down with some serious injuries last season.
What the Yankees are doing is preparing for the possibility of their depth being tested.
Carrying more pitchers on the roster to prepare for the possibility of a rash of injuries certainly can’t hurt, especially given that the Yankees are already down a few arms, those being Britton and German.
They’ll have to rely heavily on pitchers such as Chad Green, Nestor Cortes, Jonathan Loaisiga, and Michael King in the bullpen while hoping Gerrit Cole can lead the rotation.
We’ll see if carrying extra pitchers helps the Yankees, or any team for that matter.
It certainly can’t hurt.
Pitching is always at a premium these days.
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