For Cody Poteet, things couldn’t have gone any better. For 21 months the pitcher’s been waiting to step on a major league mound. Imagine the surprise when Poteet got the news that he was starting the game for the New York Yankees. “I always had the belief in myself that I was a major league starting pitcher,” Poteet said. He proved it last night against the Guardians with an impeccable six-inning tour de force.

The Yankees had entered Cleveland expecting to play on Friday and Saturday. However, with the Friday game’s postponement, they suddenly had to prepare for a doubleheader. While Clarke Schmidt started game 1, the team was in flux regarding game 2. They could either start with Luis Gil for a brief spell or go for the bullpen. Aaron Boone chose later and Poteet’s performance showed it was the right decision.

In his 6-inning-long spell, Poteet recorded 18 outs and helped preserve the Yankees’ bullpen. The pitcher struck out four batters and walked none. The only run Poteet allowed came off a solo home run by ex-Yankee Estevan Florial. For Poteet this was nothing short of extraordinary, before this game, he wasn’t even a part of the main squad. 

As the doubleheader became inevitable the Yankees immediately promoted Poteet from Triple-A as their 27th man. Poteet’s performance ensured that the Pinstripes won the game 8-2 and continued their glorious start. “Just being out there on a major league field, it’s such a privilege and not a guarantee,” Poteet said after making an incredible comeback from a Tommy John surgery in 2022. (via New York Post)

While the pitcher felt good about his career rebirth, the Yankees staff too were all praises for the 29-year-old. Aaron Boone, in particular, had highly encouraging words for the pitcher.

Cody Poteet gets praised by the New York Yankees skipper for game-winning performance

“To go six in the second game of a doubleheader, huge outing. He pitched. That’s what we know we got,” Aaron Boone said about Poteet’s performance. “He did a great job mixing the two-seam/four-seam (fastballs) and then with the changeup and secondary stuff to get off the barrel. Really strong effort by him.”

Cody Poteet arrived in the Yankees after the Juan Soto trade saw much of their bullpen emptying. The Bronx Bombers had hoped that gradually Poteet would prove to be an able hand in the bullpen. However, nobody expected the pitcher to overachieve in such a manner so quickly. The Pinstripes certainly are better off with a high-performing Poteet – as suddenly their pitching staff looks stronger than ever. 

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