Yankees GM Brian Cashman: 'I Have To Reinforce Our Pitching'
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The Yankees' pitching staff is decimated.
Coming into the season, the starting rotation figured to be a major strength for the Bronx Bombers.
But then injuries happened.
Ivan Nova underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery, Michael Pineda is not expected back before August and CC Sabathia -- who is seeking additional opinions on his right knee -- is likely done for the season.
And to cap it all off, rookie Masahiro Tanaka -- who was competing for the Cy Young Award -- is out a minimum of six weeks with a partial ulnar collateral ligament tear. He may, too, need Tommy John surgery and could very well be out for the year.
"I have to reinforce our pitching, in my opinion," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman told ESPN.com. "I have things that I feel I have to try to do, that I'm trying to do, but it is easier said than done."
The only remaining starter from the Opening Day staff who is still in the rotation is Hiroki Kuroda. New York's other current starters include David Phelps, Brandon McCarthy -- who was acquired earlier this month -- rookie Shane Greene and Chase Whitley.
"We have to try to improve, reinforce and upgrade, certainly," Cashman told the website . "We certainly would love to have some significant upgrades, but when you lose four out of five starters it is hard to re-materialize the same type of abilities with the guys you lost. It is whether you incrementally upgrade."
Heading into the second half of the season, the Yankees are a disappointing 47-47, five games behind the first-place Orioles in the American League East and 3 1/2 games out of a Wild Card berth.
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