Yankees’ Michael King breaks elbow, out for season: Reports

Content of the article

New York Yankees reliever Michael King broke his right elbow while delivering a pitch Friday night and will miss the remainder of the 2022 season, multiple media reported Saturday.

Content of the article

King was injured on an 0-2 slider against Ramon Urias of the Baltimore Orioles. From his reaction, it was clear that King knew the injury was significant.

After the games, which the Yankees won 7-6, manager Aaron Boone probably didn’t know the full extent of the injury, other than that it was serious.

« He was one of the best pitchers in the league, » Boone told reporters. « I hope and pray the best for King. »

Content of the article

Boone employed King and Clay Holmes as a powerful punch out of the bullpen, with the two handling the eighth and ninth innings.

Starter Jameson Taillon called the team’s mood « gloomy » following the injury.

“He is a hard worker. I know he will come back here and he will come back to the same place he was,” Taillon told reporters. « It’s never easy to see a guy leave the field. »

Content of the article

King, 27, is 6-3 with a career-best 2.29 ERA, one save and 16 catches in 34 relief appearances this season. He struck out 66 batters and walked 16 in 51 innings.

Without King, the Yankees will have to hope that former closest Aroldis Chapman returns to his once-dominant form. Since coming off the injured list in early July, the southpaw has thrown 6 1/3 innings in eight appearances, allowing seven runs. His ERA in July is 9.95, and he allowed seven hits, seven walks and nine strikeouts.

On the season, Chapman, 34, is 0-3 with a career-high 5.75 ERA.

The Yankees continue their streak against the Orioles on Saturday in Baltimore.