The New York Yankees are off to a solid start this season, but pitching issues could cause the team to falter in the coming weeks. According to general manager Brian Cashman, Masahiro Tanaka will be hitting the disabled list for the next month while CC Sabathia has struggled with an 0-4 starter. The team continues to find ways to win as they get back on the field Wednesday to face the Tampa Bay Rays.
Tanaka was on a hot streak, giving up just one runs over the last 13 1/3 innings of play. That put most of the worry regarding his elbow to rest. However, an MRI revealed tendinitis in his right wrist which will place the pitcher on the disabled list. That leaves a whole in the pitching rotation. Chase Whitley filled in on Tuesday to get the win over the Rays as Michael Pineda will start Wednesday as he is 3-0 with a 3.86 ERA on the season. The Yankees have won the last six games Pineda has pitched in. He is coming off his best outing of the season against the New York Mets where he gave up just one run over 7 2/3 innings in a 6-1 win. He will be responsible for keeping the Yankees hot streak alive as the team has won 10 of their last 12 games including six over the Rays.
New York is hoping the pitching injuries will not continue to be an issue. The team is hoping that both Ivan Nova and Chris Capuano can make their way back from the disabled lists in the coming month. With Tanaka out and Sabathia not getting a win yet on the season, the Yankees might be forced to make a trade in the coming weeks before the MLB deadline.
Tampa Bay will send Drew Smyly to the mound who is getting his second start following a bout of shoulder tendinitis. The pitcher looked solid in his season debut, giving up two runs in just over four innings in a win over the Toronto Blue Jays. Against the Yankees, Smyly is 1-0 with a 1.45 ERA in five appearances against the team as he has given up just three runs over 13 innings.
