Yankees’ Manager Aaron Boone Excited for Star Pitchers’ 2024 Displays, Following Immense Injury Struggles

Things are getting heated in the AL East. Till now the New York Yankees were running away from the competition. But the current reigning champions – the Baltimore Orioles have fired some shots by acquiring All-Star right-hander Corbin Burnes. While the Bronx Bombers feel a little tense, at least for now, their skipper is looking at the brighter side.

While the Spring Training is still a week and a half away, most of the Pinstripes have already joined the Yankees training facility in Tampa. After a long time, Aaron Boone has all of his players in sound health. While he’s cherishing this moment, he has set his sights on two players that he feels will go back to their best ways in 2024.

Hopes are alive and thriving for the New York Yankees through their skipper

Aaron Boone has a lot to think about right now. Apart from fitting in all the hitting stars, he needs to ensure that his pitchers are back to their usual level. The injury-infested 2023 broke the back of the Bombers’ pitching staff and now they’re looking ahead. Regarding the same, The Athletic reported that Aaron Boone is especially interested in the growth of two players – Carlos Rodon and Nestor Cortes Jr.

“I’m really excited about some of the guys, like Carlos (Rodón) and Nestor (Cortes) coming off injury-riddled seasons. I’m excited about the winters those guys are having and where they’re at,” declared Boone at Pinstripe Pride, an autograph signing event in New Jersey on Saturday.

Social media has been flush with Rodon’s pictures where the pitcher has visibly lost some weight and become more muscular. If one remembers correctly, Rodon had major problems with his back last season, and that ultimately led to him reaching the nadir of his career with a 6.85 ERA. Certainly a massive disappointment for a man who signed a $162 million deal with innumerous expectations attached to it. 

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The same was the case with Nestor Cortes. The pitcher spent a hefty amount of time on the injured list due to problems in his left rotator cuff. Things weren’t much better when he was on-field with the pitcher having an unusually high ERA of 4.97. While both these pitchers had unfateful years at the office, there’s a reason to keep hopes alive.

Why the Pinstripes’ rotation might be a bit underrated 

Most fan talks have centered on how the Yankees’ rotation needs another addition to improve. While an inclusion would make things better, in a way most fans are selling most of the Bombers pitching staff a bit short.

The reason behind saying this is that the team has Gerrit Cole, a Cy Young winner, and Marcus Stroman, who’s coming off an All-Star season. Moreover, talking about one of the above two mentioned pitchers, who fell short of expectations, Rodon had two straight All-Star seasons before 2023. Hence, the quality is clearly there. 

Would a new signing improve the team more? Obviously. But is it a catastrophe if they don’t make one? Aaron Boone’s excitement says otherwise. With the Yankees in a great spirit, one looks forward to what they have in store for their fans.

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