The Yankees are in the midst of a span of 13 games in as many days, and with pitching depth a necessity, it looks like Deivi Garcia could be making his season debut on Monday.
Garcia’s name has been kicked around as an option for that Monday start against the Orioles, and Boone told reporters prior to Saturday’s game that barring any unexpected events, it will likely be Garcia on the mound in Baltimore Monday.
“We are lining up Deivi to go on Monday,” Boone said. “We’re not fully committed to that, just based on what could possibly happen today or tomorrow, you never quite know, but Deivi is in line to take that start on Monday.”
Garcia was in a battle with Domingo German for the fifth spot in the rotation during spring training, but the 21-year-old faltered in his final starts, finishing his spring with 12 hits and six earned runs in 14 innings of work, including four home runs, while German dominated. One of the team’s top pitching prospects, Garcia made his debut last year and make six starts for the Yanks, pitching to a 4.98 ERA in 34.1 innings.
He made a postseason start in game two of the ALDS and allowed a first-inning home run before he was replaced by J.A. Happ in the second, a strategic move by Boone that backfired in a Yankee loss.
Garcia faced the Orioles once last year, allowing four runs on five hits in 4.2 innings. That was followed by his best stretch of the season, where he allowed just five earned runs over 14 innings in his next two appearances, both against the Blue Jays.
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
Follow WFAN on Social Media
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Twitch