When the Yankees acquired J.A. Happ late last month, he was largely viewed as an insurance policy — a veteran who may not have been pitching well but would at least afford the Yankees an upgrade at the back of their shaky rotation.
It may be time to reconsider that assessment.
With Sonny Gray relegated to the bullpen, Luis Severino floundering and C.C. Sabathia on the disabled list, Happ has been a lifesaver.
Happ continued his stout pitching on Tuesday with his best performance yet for the Yankees, allowing one hit in seven shutout innings while his batterymate Austin Romine hit a two-run homer to carry them to a 4-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.