Yankees’ Soto ‘shocked’ to find Yoendrys Gomez ‘incredible’

In a surprising turn of events during the New York Yankees’ 8-1 loss to the Atlanta Braves on Friday night, rookie pitcher Yoendrys Gomez shined amid the team’s continued pitching struggles. He replaced starter Carlos Rodon, who left fourth after being booed and beaten at Yankee Stadium, but earned a standing ovation from fans.

Yankees right fielder Juan Soto expressed his amazement at Gomez’s performance, noting how the rookie managed to contain the Braves’ powerful lineup. The pitcher delivered 4 2/3 scoreless innings of relief, striking out five and allowing just three walks and three hits. His 78-pitch effort, with the Yankees leading 8-1, earned him a standing ovation from the crowd.

Soto stressed the importance of Gomez’s release in preserving the Yankees’ bullpen and keeping the team’s series hopes alive.

“It really shocked me what he can do today,” the superstar slugger said. “He kept the guys that came in hot and he shut them down until the ninth inning. He was incredible. He saved our bullpen and gave us a chance to win the series.

The Yankees’ bullpen has faced significant challenges of late, contributing to their three-game losing streak. In June, relievers posted a 4.80 ERA, a stark contrast to their early season form. The pitching staff’s struggles have been compounded by injuries, with eight pitchers currently on the injured list.

Gomez’s strong performance offers a glimmer of hope for the Yankees as they work to resolve their pitching woes and end their recent slide. Rodon recognized Gomez’s vital contribution, highlighting the young pitcher’s ability to cover meaningful innings and pitch the ninth despite the team losing.

Promoted from Triple-A Friday morning after Victor Gonzalez was designated for assignment, Gómez quickly made an impact for the New York Yankees in his second major league appearance of the season. Called into action after starter Carlos Rodón’s short 3 2/3 inning outing, which saw him give up eight runs (seven earned), Gómez delivered a remarkable performance.

Gomez’s 4 2/3 relief stint was the longest for a Yankee since Jhony Brito’s five innings last August. Brito was included in the trade package sent to San Diego for Juan Soto during the offseason.

Rated the Yankees’ No. 17 prospect by MLB Pipeline, Gómez showed his potential by totaling 12 swings and misses along with five strikeouts, while only allowing three hits and three walks.

Gomez shines during stint in Yankees bullpen

At Triple-A, the 24-year-old was impressive, posting a 3.13 ERA and striking out 54 batters in 46 innings in 12 starts. Gomez’s ability to provide length out of the bullpen could give him more opportunities at the major league level, although his minor league options make him a likely candidate for frequent roster changes. alignment.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone noted the importance of Gomez’s performance, especially given the recent pressure on the bullpen and limited pitcher availability. Boone suggested that efforts like he did, even in losing games, could have a positive impact on future matchups.

“Look, we’re going to take it day by day,” the Yankees skipper said of the rookie, “but we kind of got reset last night. … We’ll continue to evaluate it and talk about it every day , but we feel like we’re close to being okay now.

The Yankee Stadium crowd showed their appreciation for Gomez’s efforts, giving him a resounding ovation when he was thrown out in the ninth inning. His performance offered a bright spot in an otherwise tough game for the Yankees.

His performance was especially vital given the recent heavy workload of the Yankees bullpen, which had used six relievers in each of the previous two games.

Despite throwing 78 pitches, which will likely keep him sidelined for a few days, Gomez’s role as starting pitcher for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season — aside from one relief appearance for the Yankees in May – means he is used to a weekly pitch schedule.

Given his strong performance, Gomez has likely secured his spot on the roster for now, providing the Yankees with a valuable arm as they navigate their pitching challenges.

Manager Aaron Boone explained that Gomez’s long outing effectively reset the bullpen. With just two games remaining before a scheduled day off, the Yankees are confident in their current pitching depth. Boone indicated they plan to deploy him in a multi-inning role once he gets enough rest, emphasizing their day-to-day approach to roster management.

The decision to retain Gomez underscores the Yankees’ confidence in his abilities and in their strategic management of the pitching staff amid recent challenges.

The New York Yankees are considering Yoendrys Gomez as a versatile pitching option, drawing parallels with Jhony Brito’s successful move to long relief last season. With the departure of Michael King and the management of Luke Weaver in more pressured situations, Gómez could play a vital role in the bullpen.

Manager Aaron Boone has hinted at Gomez’s potential value in games where starting pitchers have shorter outings. For example, if ace Gerrit Cole, who continues to increase his workload, plays only four innings in his next start against the Mets, Gomez could step in to cover several innings and close the gap to the relievers in end of round.

The Yankees view Gomez’s current stint in the majors as crucial to his development, regardless of how long it lasts. He could become a key contributor this summer, especially as the return of injured pitchers and potential acquisitions at the trade deadline are considered, or solidify his place as a long-term bullpen asset . Additionally, strong performance could boost Gomez’s appeal as a trade asset ahead of the deadline.

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