Pregame notes: Nathan Eovaldi no longer playing catch today

A few pregame notes from Toronto:

• Nathan Eovaldi expected to play catch today, but that plan was scrapped based on his most recent medical evaluation. Meredith Marakovits reports that the Yankees are hoping Eovaldi can start a throwing program in a few days after another checkup. As it is, it seems unlikely the Yankees will get Eovaldi back in any capacity before the postseason. If he doesn’t pitch before the playoffs, how much will they trust him?

• Also from Meredith, the Yankees say Masahiro Tanaka is going through normal workouts in New York and is expected to make his next start. Apparently the Yankees are leaving open the possibility of Tanaka pitching even before his next turn, which would make sense in an effort to line him up for two more regular-season starts plus a possible wild card game.

• Lefties used to have no shot against David Price, but he had mild reverse splits last season, and he has more significant reverse splits this year. Not that lefties are crushing him — they’re hitting .268/.288/.369 — but they’ve fared better across the board than right handers. And tonight, Price will face just three righties. Steering away from his usual right-handed platoon players, Joe Girardi is using a lineup with six lefties, two switch hitters and one right-handed bat. From Greg Bird through Brett Gardner, Price will face five straight lefties.

• Chris Young had a horrible August, but he’s back to hitting .333/.421/.400 against lefties in the month of September. It’s rare that he gets a day off against a left-handed starter, but he’s had no success against Price. Young is a career .071/.133/.071 in 14 career at-bats against Price. That slash line includes one hit, one walk and five strikeouts. The three regular outfielders each have better numbers in larger sample sizes.

• Girardi started Dustin Ackley at second base despite the fact Brendan Ryan has actually had some past success against Price. Ryan’s a career .286/.286/.429 hitter in 14 at-bats against the Blue Jays ace. Ackley has hit .222/.300/.333 in nine at-bats against him.

• In his second turn back in the rotation, Adam Warren is cleared for 80-85 pitches.

• Blue Jays going with their standard non-Tulo lineup with Ryan Goins at shortstop and Cliff Pennington at second base.

Associated Press photo

The post Pregame notes: Nathan Eovaldi no longer playing catch today appeared first on The LoHud Yankees Blog.

from lloydcurry1 http://ift.tt/1Quw87l