Finding reliever depth off the scrap heap is one of the many things Matt Blake has done incredibly well during his stint with the New York Yankees. They haven’t been able to do it consistently this season, but they have been forced to try and stretch out innings from relievers who didn’t have much of a track record going into the game. They have three arms now supporting their fragile bullpen in a moment of grave need, though Clay Holmes, Tommy Kahnle, and Luke Weaver were all expected to be high-leverage relievers this season.
Michael Tonkin, Tim Hill, and Jake Cousins were all surprise additions; Hill and Tonkin were added after being assigned by their respective teams. In spite of that,With 35.1 innings pitched for the Yankees and a stunning 1.53 ERA, Michael Tonkin has been a revelation for the Bronx Bombers, pitching out of some major jams. Aaron Boone has been able to use his combination of sinkers, four-seamers, and sliders to devastating effect in relief. Tonkin is a multi-inning weapon who can strike out batters who are right- or left-handed, and the change for him was straightforward. Tonkin offers much-needed value in middle relief innings.
Following Tonkin’s DFA by the Twins and Mets, the right-hander started using more sliders with the Yankees and saw great success as a result. Because it’s his greatest swing-and-miss pitch, batters who use it aggressively are chasing more balls and producing fewer damage hits. He’s
