Welcome back to Yankees Twitter Reacts, my column filled with the best and worst takes, funniest tweets, reactions to Yankees news, and everything in between from our beloved Yankees Twitter. I want this to be as fan interactive as possible, so remember to hashtag #BPYankeesTwitter or tag me at @T_Danks_to join the conversation and submit the best and worst tweets of the week!
For the past few weeks, Yankees Twitter has been generally positive based on the news being released about the team. However, this week was a little different. Between Luis Severino‘s injury, Jacoby Ellsbury soon returning to camp (yes, this is not good), and Sonny Gray‘s laughable “excuse,” here is this week’s edition of Yankees Twitter Reacts.
Check out last week’s roundup in case you missed it.
NEWS OF THE WEEK – SEVERINO INJURY
Unfortunately, the biggest news of the week was not good. Right before Severino’s planned start on Tuesday, he was scratched due to right shoulder discomfort. An MRI determined some minor inflammation in his rotator cuff, but it’s serious enough to keep him out at least two weeks which means he will likely miss his planned Opening Day start.
This sent Yankees Twitter into a frenzy, and rightfully so. Severino just signed a four-year extension and is undoubtedly the Yankees top starter. Seeing him experience any kind of pain before the season even starts is extremely worrisome, to say the least.
Luis Severino was scratched from today's start with right shoulder discomfort. He will undergo further evaluation and examination this afternoon.
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) March 5, 2019
Luis Severino’s MRI showed rotator cuff inflammation. He will be shut down for two weeks, receive an injection and anti-inflammatories, then resume his throwing program.
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) March 5, 2019
Aaron Boone said that it is “highly unlikely” that Luis Severino will be ready for Opening Day.
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) March 5, 2019
YANKEES TWITTER REACTS TO SEVERINO’S INJURY
"Luis Severino was scratched due to discomfort in his throwing shoulder, he will undergo futher examination this afternoon."
me: pic.twitter.com/Tgjdd4NAbv
— Dom Muccilo (@ItsChaBoyDom) March 5, 2019
luis severino is injured so now i have nothing pic.twitter.com/PWhmNasuBo
— jess (@gIeyberday) March 5, 2019
Luis Severino has been scratched from his start. #Yankees pic.twitter.com/VCHp12F2TM
— Dan Rourke (@DanAlanRourke) March 5, 2019
…and this is why you sign a 4 yr, $40 million deal w/ the #Yankees
Hoping for the best for Luis Severino. But even if this turns out to be nothing, #Yankees can still use rotation depth. CC’s health concerns & weak minors SP means Keuchel, Gio Gonzalez should be on radar
— Manny Espinal (@_manny95) March 5, 2019
“Oh hey Mr. Yankees. Heard Luis Severino is in shaky shape. I’ll shave my beard *wink* wink*” pic.twitter.com/efV6HgEMZ3
— Joe Randazzo (Bronx Pinstripes writer) (@deflategator) March 5, 2019
#Yankees RHP Luis Severino will have an MRI this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/ELVNFKwDSi
— NYY (24-16) (@report_yankee) March 5, 2019
With Luis Severino being out of action for a bit, some are actually musing about #Yankees eventually using "The Opener".
But wait, I though the #Rays were nuts for trying it in the first place? Thought it was just a phase, and would pass? lol. Funny how 90 wins changes things…
— Mat Germain (@Mat_Germain_) March 7, 2019
“Right shoulder discomfort” for Luis Severino pic.twitter.com/6d0C65iDoe
— Weigs (@CWeigs) March 5, 2019
Luis Severino's rotator cuff setback could be "a legitimate cause of concern for the New York Yankees." pic.twitter.com/mcj4zaaSSF
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) March 5, 2019
JACOBY ELLSBURY SOON REPORTING TO CAMP (OR SO WE’RE TOLD)
Reports this week stated that Jacoby Ellsbury is planning on reporting to training camp on March 16th or 17th. Given Ellsbury’s injury-prone history, Yankees Twitter couldn’t help but to crack jokes. Here are some of the best ones.
Cashman says the expectation is that Jacoby Ellsbury will come to Tampa for training on the 16th or 17th.
— Lindsey Adler (@lindseyadler) March 6, 2019
Jacoby Ellsbury arriving at Yankees camp like… pic.twitter.com/hTrFZoCMoc
— The BP Show (@YankeesPodcast) March 6, 2019
Jacoby Ellsbury after 5 minutes on the elliptical pic.twitter.com/krRgIUN8IP
— Justin Diamond (@justinddiamond) March 6, 2019
He's gonna trip over his own baggage and get hurt on the way to the airport. #YankeesTwitter #YankeesTwitterReacts @T_Danks_ @BronxPinstripes https://t.co/o3uiReRuCs
— Geoffrey Muller (@gmuller2112) March 6, 2019
Jacoby Ellsbury expected to get hurt again on 3/18 or 3/19.
— Rich Imbro (@richimbro) March 6, 2019
Now stepping to the plate, Jacoby Ellsbury! pic.twitter.com/ILO8q67sjJ
— bigeyedfi5h (@bigeyedfi5h) March 7, 2019
*Jacoby Ellsbury will be joining the #Yankees March 16th or 17th*
Me: pic.twitter.com/zhYWG8LqS7
— Frankie (@FrankiesTooLoud) March 6, 2019
SONNY GRAY’S EXCUSE
You would have thought that the name Sonny Gray would have become irrelevant to the Yankees when he was traded last month. Gray made headlines this week blaming the Yankees for his struggles with the team, saying the “Yankees insisted on s–tty pitch that ruined me.”
The pitch Gray is referring to is his slider, which Yankees coaches apparently insisted on him throwing. Sonny went on to explain how his slider is different from guys like Tanaka, who can throw their slider in any count for a strike. Gray does not feel comfortable throwing his slider over the plate because it will get hit. This put him in bad counts, thus leading to his struggles.
Yankees Twitter sure had a field day with this one.
I’ve noticed the Sonny Gray article has triggered two reactions among Yankees fans.
1) Sonny hasn’t learned and still can’t take accountability.
2) Larry Rothschild is a bad coach and needs to go.
— Andrew (@Andrew_Rotondi) March 6, 2019
https://twitter.com/ryanbecksinger/status/1103109548326506496
https://twitter.com/DTiberius4/status/1103000479439745024
The #Yankees are sooo over Sonny Gray. https://t.co/ZKhRjPxs4H
— Kristie Ackert (@ByKristieAckert) March 6, 2019
Sonny Gray is a coward who could not pitch for the New York Yankees. His little exposé in The Athletic does not rid him of responsibility for being literally awful. The worst pitcher in the league. Day in, day out.
— Andy (@27xWSChamps) March 5, 2019
Sonny Gray is a clown blaming the Yankees for “ruining him”. Please
— amanda (@anc227) March 5, 2019
You couldn’t cut it in NY, you’re a bum Sonny Gray https://t.co/BFl6oxuPId
— Ryan Burke (@Ryan_Burke94) March 7, 2019
WORST TAKE OF THE WEEK
Surprisingly, there were no terrible takes this week. If you see one, send it my way. Hashtag #BPYankeesTwitter or tag me at @T_Danks_. We can’t let bad takes go unnoticed!
BEST TAKE OF THE WEEK
In Sonny Gray's last three years in Oakland, he averaged 14.9% sliders. With the Yankees, he averaged 15.1% sliders.
In other words, he's lying.
— Gardy Party (@BGardyParty11) March 5, 2019
I know there are multiple opinions on the whole Sonny Gray thing, but here is mine: (hint, I’m on Gardy Party’s side). It’s hard to blame your struggles on a specific pitch when your home and road splits are so drastic.
At home, Sonny had a 6.98 (!!!) ERA and struck out a batter 15.7% of the time. On the road, Sonny had a 3.17 ERA and struck out a batter 26.4% of the time. To me, that sounds like a guy who can’t pitch in New York, not a guy who can’t throw a slider. But whatever floats your boat, Sonny.
FUNNIEST TWEETS OF THE WEEK
“When Machado finally signs, #Yankees Twitter can stop fighting with each other and just worry about cheering on the team”
*Machado signs*
“Now it’s #TeamVoit or #TeamBird, and we’re going to fight over it.” pic.twitter.com/CWhLv55NPw
— Chris Dixon (@cdixon25) March 7, 2019
Luis Severino shoulder discomfort…Gettleman having no direction for the Giants…if I lost my job today I wouldn’t shocked at all.
— Bodhi (@bbyrne27) March 5, 2019
Thanks for reading this week’s edition of Yankees Twitter Reacts! Remember, if you see something that you think deserves to be in the column next week, be sure to hashtag #BPYankeesTwitter or tag me on Twitter @T_Danks_ ! And be sure to listen to the most recent episode of The Bronx Pinstripes Show: http://smarturl.it/YankeesPodcast