Zack Britton will undergo surgery to remove a bone chip from his pitching elbow on Monday, and while the procedure is one that can often be held off for the offseason, Britton and the Yankees believed that now was the time to get it taken care of and have the lefty back for the stretch run of the regular season.
“Could I rehab through it and possibly come back and it wouldn’t impact me? There was a chance, but we like the chances better of me coming back this season and pitching at a high level if I just got it removed now,” Britton told reporters on Wednesday. “If this was during the season, I’m not sure if this would be the decision, but being that it’s spring training, through all the advice from multiple doctors, it seems that this is the smart thing to do if I want to pitch at a high level this year for the team.”
Britton tried to focus on the positives after news of his injury, choosing to keep his sights set on the potential boost he can provide the Yankees in 3-4 months when he is able to return.
“You try to look at the positives in this situation,” Britton said. “I don’t know if anyone was going to throw a full 162-game season workload as a reliever just because of the games we played last year, but I think I’m gonna be in a good spot when I come back.”
With last year cut to 60 games due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Britton’s throwing program being delayed after he contracted the virus and lost 18 pounds in 10 days, the reliever’s timetable was already drastically altered before the injury, and while the Yanks would rather have him on the Opening Day roster, he can take the next few weeks to get back to full strength while the incision from his surgery heals.
“I was preparing to throw 70 games this year when I came in, understanding that that probably wasn’t going to be a reality,” Britton said. “But I’ll be prepared to throw as many inning as I need to. Whatever they ask me, I’ll be ready to do that when I come back. I’m just excited that I’ll be able to pitch for the club this year and have the opportunity to make an impact when I get back.”
Britton represents a big loss for a Yankee bullpen that has leaned on him heavily over the past two seasons. He posted a 1.91 ERA in 2019 and a 1.89 ERA through 19 innings of work last season, and was expected to handle the bulk of the eighth inning duties this season. Instead, it might be the eighth inning of the regular season timeline by the time he returns, but as long as Britton is back in time to help the Yankees in their playoff push, he’ll be happy.
“It’s disappointing that I’m not going to be there to start the year, but like I said, this is the best way to get with the guys this season and pitch at a high level and make a big impact,” Britton said. “I’m still planning on making a good amount of appearances for the club and making a big impact.”
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