While Aaron Boone, the New York Yankees‘ manager, told the media that the plan wasn’t about using rookie pitcher Deivi Garcia as a traditional “opener,” the hurler himself said that the skipper and pitching coach Matt Blake told him that his outing was going to be short.
“They explained to me that it was going to be a short outing. I didn’t know exactly how many pitches, how many innings or anything like that,” Garcia said after the game in a press conference.
He ended up pitching one frame and throwing 27 pitches, allowing one run to the Tampa Bay Rays. He gave way for veteran lefty J.A. Happ, who conceded four runs and two homers in 2.2 frames on Tuesday night.
Yes, Garcia is what you would call a traditional starter, and that’s the way he was brought up during his time in the minor leagues. However, and given the lack of top-flight options in the New York Yankees’ bullpen, one would have to wonder if young Deivi would be available to pitch again in the series, something that wouldn’t be possible had he made a traditional start.
He could help the Yankees’ bullpen
To that, the pitcher himself admitted that he could be able to get himself ready for game action for today or tomorrow.
It’s unclear if the Yankees will consider him for a similar “opener” role in Game 4 or a potential Game 5. He could also be a two or three-inning reliever, or asked to get some specific batters out. He remains in play, however, to make another contribution to the Yankees’ relief corps.
After all, Boone used Jonathan Loaisiga in a high-leverage situation once again, and he, once again, failed to deliver. It’s clear that there aren’t many guys that the manager trusts in the bullpen right now outside of Aroldis Chapman, Zack Britton and Chad Green.
Maybe Deivi Garcia can become a reliable bullpen arm for the remainder of the series.