If you just looked at the box score, you might think the Yankees' 4-0 win over the Indians Saturday afternoon was just another chapter in the Amazing Story of Bartolo Colon, who's come from practically nowhere to win five games for a club that desperately needed an amazing story this spring. Saturday, Colon went 6-2/3 innings without allowing a run.
Bartolo Colon Injury: Hamstring Problem Sends Yankee For MRI
Unfortunately, if that 6-2/3 made you wonder why Colon came out before finishing the seventh, your curiosity was well-founded. From Ebenezer Samuel (via the Daily News):
Colon injured himself in the seventh, when Cleveland's Shin-Soo Choo hit a slow roller that Teixeira came off the bag to field. Colon raced toward first to catch Teixeira's relay and get Choo out, but as he stepped on the bag, the portly pitcher pulled up lame, acting as if he'd pulled something in his calf or hamstring.
Portly pitcher pulled up lame? Is that really the best you’ve got, Ebenezer?
How about hefty hurler hurt hamstring? Or rotund right-hander realized running results in real ruin?
I kid, but I actually adore alliteration.
What the Yankees don’t adore is losing a starting pitcher to the disabled list. Particularly a starting pitcher with a 3.10 ERA. Regardless how portly, hefty, or rotund he might be.
If Colon's out for a while, the Yankees -- who have used only six starting pitchers all season, including Phil Hughes and his three starts -- might have to get a little creative while waiting for Hughes to return.
Manny Banuelos, who made a big impression in spring training, has a 2.84 ERA with double-A Trenton but has struggled to throw strikes. Another of the Yankees' top pitching prospects, Dellin Betances, has a 1.75 ERA but has also issued more walks than you'd like from a guy who's ready (or not) for the majors. It seems unlikely that either would be trusted with more than a spot start for the big club.
More likely options include David Phelps, currently sporting excellent numbers with triple-A Scranton, and Hector Noesi, who pitched effectively in the Yankees' bullpen this spring but was recently demoted to Scranton anyway. Noesi's considered one of the organization's better prospects, but hasn't struck out many batters this season, at either level.
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