Joe Girardi made it clear that a roster spot was not reserved for Ian Kennedy when he was finished rehabbing his injury - he would have to earn his way back to the big club.
Kennedy has since made seven appearances for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, including one this afternoon. He went seven innings, allowing six hits and two earned runs while striking out six and throwing almost 70 percent of his pitches for strikes.
In those seven games for Scranton, Kennedy has pitched 38 innings and has allowed 11 earned runs (2.61 ERA). He has also walked 13 and struck out 30 over that time. However, he has walked five over his last 27 innings pitched.
His performance, as well as Darrell Rasner's ineffectiveness, should give the Yankees cause to make a change.
Since going 3-0 in his first three starts, Rasner is 2-8 in 12 starts (63 2/3 innings). That equates to a 6.22 ERA. The Yankees are 4-8 during these 12 starts as well.
Who knows if Kennedy will be any better, but it's time to give him a shot. We know what to expect from Rasner, but Kennedy was once a top prospect so he has some potential.
The two pitchers are on the same schedule, so the transition would be seamless. Since Dan Giese has seemed to embrace the long-relief role, Rasner could be optioned to Triple-A and return to the team when the rosters expand on Sept. 1.
What do you guys think? Has Kennedy officially earned his way back?
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Kennedy has earned a trip back to the bigs
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3 comments:
Definitely. He pitched great down the stretch last year, and his starts in the minors warrant his promotion.
Rasner, meanwhile, has been awful over the past few months. It's a no-brainer, in my opinion.
Yes. Yes. Yes.
Ponson's magic is all used up.
I think that he may be out of options, meaning that some team like the Nats will probably claim him.
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