The Yankees suffered a major blow to their chances of competing in 2017 when it was announced righthanded starter Nathan Eovaldi would require surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon in his right elbow, as well as a partial tear in his UCL.
The 26-year-old Eovaldi has had mixed results this year, pitching to a 4.76 ERA and 4.96 FIP in 124.2 innings, a step back from last season’s marks of 4.20 ERA and 3.42 FIP.
Still, the loss is bigger than those numbers would indicate because of Eovaldi’s immense potential. He is a guy who has looked to be on the verge of a major breakout ever since he put on the pinstripes.