FUELED by the 11-2 record they have compiled over the past two weeks, the Yankees officially have returned to respectability in the American League.
But in spite of their recent hot streak, the Bombers sit just two games over .500 after yesterday’s 11-8 win over the Mets, and the Red Sox still lead the AL East by 8½ games.
Though the start of June has been undeniably encouraging for the Yankees, there is still a long time between now and October, and many questions will need to be answered. But one thing is certain: If the Bombers hope to qualify for the postseason, pitching will be an absolute key from here on out.
Fortunately for Yankees GM Brian Cashman, Kei is pitching again.
“[Igawa]’s now back in the mix,” Cashman told Bushes on Friday, a day after the Japanese import completed his third straight impressive outing with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. “We’ll have to see when a need arises or if we need to swap things out.”
The obvious candidate for replacement, Tyler Clippard, was optioned to SWB after yesterday’s outing against the Mets (3 1/3 IP, 5 H, 5 ER). Clippard peaked at the perfect time for the Yankees, delivering his best major-league outing in his first start – May 20 at Shea (6 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 6 K) – when his team was desperate for both a win and a quality start. However, Clippard’s most recent starts – June 10 against the Pirates and yesterday against the Mets – were disasters, and all of a sudden, Igawa, Cashman’s $45 million man (including posting fee), is expected to take Clippard’s job.
Not that Igawa hasn’t earned it.
In his last three starts with SWB, Igawa dazzled, allowing four earned runs and striking out 21 batters in 20 innings. In his most recent outing, Thursday night, Igawa earned the win, surrendering four hits and one run in six innings.
Though some may hesitate at the thought of seeing Igawa (and his 7.63 ERA) in pinstripes again, it’s worth noting his recent success has come against Triple-A teams that are not much worse than the Pirates, who tattooed Clippard for six runs in 3 2/3 innings last week.
“Based on what we heard from [Scranton pitching coach Dave Eiland], he’s come a long way,” Cashman said of Igawa. “He focused on his changeup [Thursday night], and, based on what we’ve heard, it’s there.”
Cashman said he believes Igawa’s early struggles were due to the cultural transition he was forced to make this spring. Daisuke Matsuzaka, the Red Sox’s prized Japanese pitcher, also struggled with his control early in the season as he adjusted to the American game. Cashman even compared Igawa’s situation to those of former Yankees imports Orlando (“El Duque”) Hernandez and Jose Contreras, Cubans who each needed to spend time in the minor leagues before they could be effective in the bigs.
So it appears Igawa’s stint in the minors is rapidly nearing its end, though his effectiveness in the majors remains to be seen. He will be given a shot, however, and could own a spot in the rotation for the rest of the season (or at least until Phil Hughes returns).
“All I care about is him being an effective major-league pitcher,” Cashman said of Igawa. “We’ve been encouraged and impressed with his work at Scranton.”
Now it’s time to see how he’ll fare during Round Two in The Bronx.