The Yankees did not get the start they hoped for Sunday afternoon at George Steinbrenner Field falling to the Toronto Blue Jays 6-4 in their first go at spring training.
Win or lose, this was a moment for Yankees starter Michael King to show he is capable of potentially becoming a starting pitcher for the regular season. The resulting loss was a reflection of his throws, giving King lots to prepare for if he wants to earn that fifth starter spot.
Right off the bat in the top of the first inning, with two outs King struck Vladimir Guerrero Jr. allowing him to take first and moved Bo Bichette to second. Rowdy Tellez ground-rule doubled to right field allowing Marcus Semien, who was on third, and Bichette to cross home plate.
On an 0-2 count Cavan Biggio doubled to left center allowing Jonathan Davis to score, leaving King and the rest of the Yankees down three in just one and a half innings.
King only saw the mound for two innings as a result of the Blue Jays early lead. In his 39 pitches he had one strikeout, two walks hit two batters, and allowed three earned runs - not a great start.
There's still a handful of spring training games remaining until the regular season begins, leaving King and the Yankees pitching coaches with time to iron things out.
King is a Bishop Hendricken Alum who graduated in 2013. He continued his baseball career at Boston College and was then drafted in the 12th round of the 2016 MLB Draft to the Miami Marlins. After a season on the Marlins minor league affiliate team, GCL Marlins, King found himself as a part of a trade deal with the Yankees. After an injury-related setback he made his start in the major leagues as a reliever for two innings in September of 2017. Now he is battling in 2021 spring training to earn a spot in regular season rotation.
Comments