The NY Yankees are in the playoffs mix, but the team will be out with Nathan Eovaldi for the next couple weeks while the pitcher deals with some elbow issues. Eovaldi is going down just as CC Sabathia is set to come off of the DL and it comes after Luis Severino has joined the rotation from the minors last month.
The Yankees had been planning to go with a six-man rotation once everyone was healthy, but the latest news on Eovaldi may change those plans. According to WFAN's Sweeny Murti, Eovaldi could be out for the rest of the regular season and the "hope" is that he can return for the playoffs if the Yankees make it. Eovaldi likely will need some time after being shut down for two weeks and that could keep him out for the regular season. Eovaldi has elbow inflammation and he comes in after losing to the Rays on Saturday.
Overall Eovaldi has been very solid for the Yankees and he comes in with a 14-3 record this year with a 4.20 ERA and 121 strikeouts. Eovaldi has been better over the second half of the season compared to the first, including putting up a 3.43 ERA in his last 14 starts. Eovaldi had not lost since back in June and now the Yankees will have to find a way to get along without him.
Sabathia is on track to return to the rotation this week, as he will be starting on Wednesday, according to ESPN.com, Sabathia went down in August and this little break could be big for him if the Yankees make the playoffs. Sabathia has a 5.27 ERA and a 4-9 record, but the team needs Sabathia on the mound, especially now with Eovaldi out. Severino could be key in keeping the rotation going strong, as he has been solid with a 3-2 record and a 2.04 ERA this season in six starts.
