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MLB Rumors: Yankees need to call up Justus Sheffield

By Rucker Haringey

PORTLAND, ME - MAY 1: Portland Sea Dogs vs. the Trenton Thunder baseball game. Trenton starting pitcher Justus Sheffield pitched a strong game against the Sea Dogs. (Photo by John Ewing/Portland Press Herald via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, ME - MAY 1: Portland Sea Dogs vs. the Trenton Thunder baseball game. Trenton starting pitcher Justus Sheffield pitched a strong game against the Sea Dogs. (Photo by John Ewing/Portland Press Herald via Getty Images) /
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At the moment, the Yankees only have one starting pitcher Aaron Boone can really trust. That’s why it’s time to promote Justus Sheffield.

After last night’s debacle against the Texas Rangers it’s clear the Yankees pitching staff could use some serious help. Trading for a new arm will likely occur sooner rather than later, but there’s a solid internal option the team should explore as well. Provided Justus Sheffield looks good in his first start off the DL in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre he should earn a ticket to the majors.

Sheffield was put on the 10-day DL for shoulder tightness, but he’s ready to take his turn in the AAA rotation this week. It’s a start that everyone in New York’s front office should be watching very closely.

Other than Luis Severino, there isn’t a Yankees starting pitcher that’s earned Aaron Boone’s trust this season. C.C. Sabathia started out the season red-hot but he crashed back down to Earth last night in an ugly outing against the Rangers. He deserves credit for remaking himself into a decent finesse pitcher, but decent is all he can really provide at this point in his career.

Sonny Gray is starting to show signs of life, but he’s going to need to string some quality starts together to erase the memories of his horrific start to the year. Masahiro Tanaka routinely alternates between good starts and clunkers. With all that being said, the fifth spot in the rotation is where Sheffield’s presence can really be felt.

Domingo German has done a serviceable job of replacing Jordan Montgomery after the southpaw hit the DL. His lack of a third pitch makes him better suited to be a reliever at the time being. Boone’s bullpen could certainly use a boost. Adding German back into the mix would help the Yankees reduce the workload on David Robertson and Dellin Betances. Both looked pretty rough in Arlington last night. Promoting Sheffield to the Bronx would allow German to help boost the relieving corps.

Unlike German, Sheffield already has three quality pitches to work with. That allows him to profile comfortably as a starter. He doesn’t have ace quality stuff, but that’s not what is required to pitch in the Yankees rotation at the moment. If he can provide mid-rotation quality performances it would really help the team.

Next: 5 pitchers the Yankees can target in a trade

It probably won’t happen for at least a few more weeks, but Justus Sheffield should be coming to the Bronx sooner rather than later. The combination of his talent and the lack of reliable options available to Boone make it a necessary move for the Yankees.

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