Reason To Worry? 'Frustrated' Dellin Betances' Rough Spring Continues
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Dellin Betances was unbelievably good last season.
So good, in fact, that many were comparing him to a young Mariano Rivera.
But the right-handed reliever hasn't been so hot this spring.
"I'm obviously frustrated," the 27-year-old told reporters on Wednesday. "I mean, it's been four outings where every time out I've given up a run. Today I felt better, but you've got to make a better pitch than that to (Juan) Lagares. It's frustrating, but I'm sure I've got four more outings left and I'll do whatever I can to be better for the season."
On Wednesday against the Mets, Betances recorded one out and surrendered a home run to Lagares on a hanging curveball.
In 5 1/3 innings pitched this spring, the 2014 All-Star has allowed four earned runs on seven hits (6.75 ERA). He's walked two, struck our four and blown a save.
"I think he set a pretty high standard last year that's not always so easy to live up to," manager Joe Girardi said. "My only concern is that he's right at the end of spring training."
Betances' velocity has some worried. On Wednesday, his fastball was clocked at around 89-90 mph. But Girardi maintains that he's not concerned about Betances' arm strength.
"I get asked so much about it," Girardi said. "He's actually throwing harder than he did last year. It was the last week (of spring 2014) that it kind of jumped up."
With David Robertson gone, Betances and lefty Andrew Miller are competing for the closer job. Betances was likely the favorite coming into camp, but Miller -- who signed a four-year, $36 million deal with New York in December -- has outperformed his teammate in Florida.
"A lot of these guys know who I am now," Betances said. "Last year, there was a lot of unknown. But right now, I need to get those few more velos and maybe attack the zone better. But today, I thought it was good. I just made a mistake to Lagares."
