As the Yankees and Orioles continue to battle for postseason spots, both teams are mulling pitching changes to their rotations and bullpens. In the National League, Washington is unsure of third baseman Ryan Zimmerman's injury status moving forward.
Fortunately for the Yankees, the losses of CC Sabathia, Masahiro Tanaka, Ivan Nova and Michael Pineda have yet to derail their postseason hopes. Hiroki Kuroda is the only pitcher from the opening day starting rotation that is still healthy, while the Yanks have thrown Brandon McCarthy, Chris Capuano, David Phelps, and Shane Greene to accompany the lone starter. But Phelps left Sunday night's start with elbow inflammation, so general manager Brian Cashman might have more patchwork to do.
But Cashman must make sure the team's bullpen stays intact. Their dominant performance over the first half and beyond has allowed New York to maintain their position in the division (six games back) and wild card race (one game back). Relief pitchers Shawn Kelley (3.22 ERA), Adam Warren (3.27 ERA), Dellin Betances (1.46 ERA), and closer David Robertson (2.68 ERA), have all appeared in at least 39 games. The bullpen just lost left-hander Matt Thornton (2.55 ERA) to the Washington Nationals in a waiver claim, and replaced him with Rich Hill, while they consider Matt Daley and Chase Whitley for Phelps' replacement.
In the AL East, the Orioles have some less extreme pitching issues, but they're serious enough to consider. Starter Ubaldo Jiminez will soon return from the disabled list as he recovers from a sprained ankle, but to make room for him the Orioles must option either reliever T.J. McFarlane or starter Miguel Gonzalez to Triple-A. Jiminez is only 3-8 with a 4.52 ERA, but started pitching much better in May after a rough April start (26 earned runs in May and June compared to 20 in April). If Buck Showalter decides to put Jiminez in the rotation, Gonzalez will likely be sent down to the minors, but if he's put in the bullpen, McFarlane will be the casualty.
In the NL East, the Washington Nationals are running the show with a 60-51 record and three games ahead of the second-place Atlanta Braves. But third baseman Ryan Zimmerman suffered a Grade 3 hamstring strain on July 22 that is expected to keep him out for six weeks, barring any setbacks. Because of Zimmerman's injury, the Nats traded for Cleveland Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera and put him at second base, leaving Ian Desmond at shortstop and Anthony Rendon at third. If Zimmerman can return on time, which looks promising because he said his hamstring felt 'fine' after walking on an underwater treadmill on Monday, the Nationals will be able to get him ready for the postseason in October.
You can read more about team updates on MLB News.
