The New York Yankees are the latest team to consider the use of an “opener” in 2019.
Manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that the team has considered using one of its back-end relievers to start games and work backwards, bringing in a traditional starter in relief.
Aaron Boone said he can see scenarios where the Yankees use an “opener” in 2019, starting one of their big bullpen arms and working backward.
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) March 6, 2019
Several teams have played with the “opener” idea, but few may be as well-equipped to do it as the Yankees are. They’ve built a loaded bullpen headed by Aroldis Chapman, Dellin Betances, and Zach Britton. Even if they use one to get outs early in the game, they’ll have multiple top arms ready and waiting if things are close late.
Perhaps this thinking is being influenced by the fact that one key Yankee starter probably won’t be ready for the opener. Protecting their starters by leaning on their bullpen is certainly a valid strategy for the Yankees.
