Bartolo Colon excited for first start
BARTOLO COLON, Starting pitcher
Signed a one-year, minor league deal with the Yankees
The Yankees are taking a low-risk gamble on Colon, who did not pitch in the majors in 2010. With Andy Pettitte retiring and the back end of the Yankees rotation filled with questions marks, Colon has the potential to be the fifth starter.
Credit: AP
Bartolo Colon thought he pitched well enough in spring training to make the Yankees’ rotation, but he didn’t publicly complain when he started the season as the long man in the bullpen.
“The more important thing for me,” he said, “was to make the team.”
The Yankees reminded him then that the bullpen wasn’t a set-in-stone assignment, that there might be a chance for him to start for them. And now, with Phil Hughes on the disabled list with a dead arm, Colon’s time has come and he’s excited.
“I feel good right now,” he said. “I’m going to try to do my job as always.”
Manager Joe Girardi has not decided when Colon will start, saying, “We’re going to see how we get through this weekend before we make any decisions.”
Hughes’ rotation spot is supposed to come up on Wednesday, but Monday’s off-day gives the Yankees some flexibility in setting their rotation.
Colon has a 3.97 ERA and 1.235 WHIP in 11.1 innings spanning three relief outings. His last start in the majors was July 24, 2009 when he was with the Chicago White Sox.
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