The Yankees announced this morning that the club has recalled left-hander Matt Krook to the big league club following the decision last night to option right-hander Randy Vasquez to Triple-A.
Krook, 28, was converted to relief ahead of the 2023 campaign after being selected to the Yankees’ 40-man roster ahead of the Rule 5 Draft during the offseason. A fourth-round pick by the Giants in the 2016 draft, Krook spent time in the Giants and Rays organizations before joining the Yankees in 2021. Prior to 2023, the lefty prospect had primarily been used as a starter, with a 3.57 ERA in 244 2/3 innings at the Double-A and Triple-A levels during his time in the Yankees organization. Despite those solid numbers, Krook was moved to the bullpen thanks to command issues; the lefty has never had a walk rate below 10% in a full season throughout his entire professional career.
So far, the move to the pen has proved to be a revelation for Krook. He’s posted a microscopic 1.04 ERA with a 1.79 FIP in 17 1/3 innings at Triple-A across twelve appearances this season. While his walk rate is still a concerning 16.9%, he’s striking out a whopping 47.9% of batters faced, mitigating the issue to an extent. Krook has clearly shown enough that the Yankees believe him to be ready for a debut in the big leagues, where he will provide the club with a quality left-handed option alongside Wandy Peralta.
Headed back to Triple-A to make room for Krook on the roster is Vasquez, who started yesterday’s game for the Yankees in a major league debut of his own. The 24-year-old righty held his own against a tough Padres lineup, allowing two runs on four hits (one home run) and three walks while striking out six in 4 2/3 innings of work. Vasquez figures to act as a depth starter for the Yankees in Triple-A going forward, a valuable role given the numerous injury woes the Yankees has suffered in the rotation so far in 2023.
Wow that was fast. Talk about a short leash.
He’ll be back. Yankees use guys with options left as a way to effectively expand the ML pitching roster.
It was always going to nothing more than a spot start for Vazquez. German is back from his suspension soon so the rotation is full for now
Oh boy! Can’t wait to watch German — no longer helped out by sticky stuff — get shelled on his next start.
This guy… ^
):0o
Oh, boy! Oh boy oh boy oh boy!
It’s horrible to lose your starting pitching job to a krook.
When R Yankee fans gonna realize they will never be in another World Series as long as Cashman is the GM! Top 4 players making 150M per season combined! So the other 22 roster spots share the 120M left over if U subtract the 10M per Hicks is making the next three years to play somewhere else! 120M divided by the other 22 roster spots is just over 5M per! So U don’t have enough funds to have a competitive roster combined. How this guy is still allowed to run the Yankees is beyond me and Rendon has yet to throw his first pitch!
Yankees fans don’t hire the GM.
You’re preaching to the choir, Reverend.
Thanks for the effort, Randy. Nice debut. Now, get out. Scram.
Did nurse Debby put extra cinnamon in the rice pudding today just how you like it?
Is that rice pudding on your lip?
Or are you ‘collecting autographs’ again?
Watched Vasquez last night. He has legit swing/miss stuff. His command and his pitch mix need some work. But he’s thisclose.
Great movement, nice breaking balls. Made my Pads appear baffled for awhile. I especially enjoyed the look on Carp’s face when that backdoor punchy crossed the plate. You’ll see Vasquez back soon, he’ll be bounced up and down according to the Yanks’ needs.
Yeah, he hit three guys, with breaking pitches. The last one cost him, because it brought up Soto, who hit that bomb – instead of leading off the next inning.
Overall, fine effort.
Had 3 walks too. Honestly getting out of there only giving up 2 runs with those 6 free base runners was pretty crafty. Solid debut.
Just imagine how bad this Yankees team would have been without Judge so far this year.
For a couple weeks we didn’t have to imagine…it was dismal
Randy Poffo was also a baseball player.
Dig it! Too hot to handle! Too cold to hold!
Totally doesn’t look like a Randy.
This HPU sucks sour buttermilk.
Bottom 9th.
Need ‘in play, run(s)’
Good grief, this HPU…
Extra innings. Slo-pitch softball rules.
Take back what you said about IKF?
TAKE IT BACK!
):0o
If his whole family shows up, it’s going to spoil the broth.
The Yankees ‘Ace’ can’t hold 4-5 run leads? Really?