Last week, New York Yankees pitcher Nathan Eovaldi left a game after complaining of elbow discomfort. Subsequently, the Yankee right hander was placed on the disabled list for what was described as a “right elbow tendon injury.” Less than a week later the prognosis has trickled in and things have turned grimly in a hurry.
The hurler has partially torn his UCL and completely torn his flexor tendon, he told reporters on Tuesday.
Nathan Eovaldi's flexor tendon was torn clear off the bone.
— Jared Diamond (@jareddiamond) August 16, 2016
Nathan Eovaldi will almost certainly miss all of 2017.
— Jared Diamond (@jareddiamond) August 16, 2016
Eovaldi will finish the season with a 4.76 ERA in 21 starts and three relief appearances, averaging seven strikeouts per nine innings.
The last tweet written by Diamond in that sequence is perhaps what’s most concerning for Eovaldi. The veteran right-hander was due to be a free agent at the conclusion of the 2017 season, this after being arbitration eligible at the conclusion of the 2016 campaign. As Diamond speculated, what’s likely next for Eovaldi is to be non-tendered following a lengthy rehabilitation process. He’ll likely lose out on a payday as a result.
What this means for the Yankees going forward is they are due to be without Eovaldi’s presence in the bullpen and the rotation. After an up-and-down season Eovaldi provided help as a reliever, and began to find his way as a starter until his recent injury came up.
The season started off promisingly for Eovaldi after having a terrific first month. Perhaps that’s why this news appears so deflating for him as he continues to try and figure it out. Whether he has thrown his last pitch in pinstripes is in question, but it appears likely unless Brian Cashman and the Yankees brass decide to take another chance on him.
Photo: Kim Klement / USA Today Sports