The New York Yankees, seeking to bolster their pitching staff, have reorganized their roster to accommodate a familiar arm. Left-handed reliever Josh Maciejewski, originally drafted by the Yankees in the 10th round of the 2018 MLB Draft, has earned a spot on the Major League roster following notable performances in the higher tiers of Minor League baseball.
At 28 years old, Maciejewski has already made two appearances this season, delivering 4.2 scoreless innings and recording five strikeouts for the Scranton RailRiders.
As a consequence of the team’s acquisition from the Chicago White Sox, Jake Cousins will be sent down to Scranton, while Clayton Andrews is being designated for assignment to open up space for Maciejewski.
The Yankees’ bullpen has been taxed after having to cover more than five innings in consecutive games against the Toronto Blue Jays. With no day off before facing the Miami Marlins, they’ve opted to utilize Jake Cousins’ option to make room for a reinforcement in the bullpen.
Josh Maciejewski emerges as a viable candidate capable of providing multiple innings if necessary. He throws a sinker clocking at 90-91 MPH, exhibiting substantial armside movement from a lower arm slot, along with a slow slider and sharp changeup, which he effectively employs to induce groundballs and strikeouts.
Last season, split between Double-A and Triple-A, Maciejewski maintained a solid 2.96 ERA with 46 strikeouts across 45.2 innings pitched, showcasing his proficiency in keeping the ball on the ground.
Although he doesn’t overpower hitters, the left-hander presents value as a versatile relief option capable of pitching multiple innings, utilizing deceptive arm angles that could unsettle opposing batters. Additionally, he offers another lefty option, particularly valuable given Caleb Ferguson’s probable unavailability after pitching the previous night.
Clayton Andrews, who struggled during Spring Training and in Triple-A, became a roster casualty due to this move. The Yankees had hoped he could provide bullpen depth but ultimately designated him for assignment.
Now on waivers, he’s available for any team to claim, or he could accept an outright assignment to remain in Triple-A. The Yankees find themselves in a peculiar situation with their bullpen, especially with Tommy Kahnle progressing towards the season.
Further changes are anticipated for the bullpen later in the summer with Scott Effross and Lou Trivino expected to join. Consequently, the bullpen composition could drastically evolve in a short span.
This transaction appears to address their immediate fatigue concerns, given the recent strain on the bullpen. While starting pitching hasn’t posed issues in preventing runs, the Yankees aspire for greater length from their rotation to mitigate the need for frequent roster adjustments.