Inside The Pinstripes

Another Yankees Reliever Is Battling an Injury

Lou Trivino was unavailable on Wednesday during the Yankees' doubleheader, managing back spasms.

Max Goodman

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NEW YORK — You can add another name to the long list of Yankees pitchers that are either banged up or the injured list here in early September.

Right-hander Lou Trivino wasn't used on Wednesday during a doubleheader against the Twins, never warming up in the bullpen across 22 innings of baseball. 

After Game 2, Yankees manager Aaron Boone was asked if he had Trivino available.

The skipper disclosed that the recently-acquired reliever was out on Wednesday, dealing with "some back stuff," discomfort that popped up in the morning prior to the doubleheader.

"This is something that he's kind of had, tends to get once or twice a year," Boone said. "Just kind of a little spasm thing that he kind of had when he came in today."

Trivino spoke about his back spasms the next day at his locker in the Yankees' clubhouse, assuring that this issue is usually resolved after two or three days of rest.

"It's something that I have once a year," he said. "It's annoying but it is what it is."

Trivino last pitched during New York's weekend series in Tampa Bay, coming in from the bullpen in back-to-back games. He has a spectacular 0.68 ERA in 15 games (13.1 innings) since coming over to the Bronx from the Oakland Athletics (in the Frankie Montas trade). 

Boone added on Wednesday night that he's hopeful Trivino will be available for Thursday's series finale against Minnesota. Trivino was unsure on Thursday afternoon if he'd be available to pitch, saying rest is truly the best way to get rid of this issue.

"Luckily the bullpen isn't too taxed," Trivino said with a wry smile.

Trivino, of course, was making light of the situation in New York's 'pen, a part of the pitching staff that's been stretched extremely thin with injuries and Wednesday's doubleheader. 

Aroldis Chapman, Scott Effross, Miguel Castro, Albert Abreu, Zack Britton and more are already on the IL. In the rotation, Nestor Cortes will make his return from a strained groin on Thursday night. Luis Severino remains on the 60-day injured list, working back in rehab assignments from a lat strain.

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Max Goodman
MAX GOODMAN

Max Goodman covers the New York Yankees for Sports Illustrated and FanNation. Goodman has been on the Yankees beat for three seasons. He is also the publisher of Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Jets site, Jets Country. Before starting Inside The Pinstripes, Goodman attended Northwestern University and the Medill School of Journalism. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Master’s Degree in Sports Media, graduating in 2019. At school, Goodman was an anchor and reporter with NNN SportsNight and played on the club baseball team. While at Northwestern, Goodman interned with MLB.com as an associate reporter covering the Miami Marlins. He also interned with ESPN, working as an associate reporter on Mike Greenberg's Get Up. Goodman is from New York City. He grew up in Hell's Kitchen. Follow Goodman on Twitter @MaxTGoodman. You can connect with him via email by reaching out at maxgoodmansports@gmail.com.

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