Right-handed relievers Nick Burdi and Scott Effross patiently await the New York Yankees to bring them back to MLB. Burdi and Effross are pitching for the Yankees Triple-A affiliate, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.
Burdi and Effross have MLB experience and have battled various injuries. They both feel fully healthy now and are trying to find that extra gear to reach top form with all of their pitches. Both guys can help provide a lift to the Yankees bullpen, which has endured a lot of struggles in the second half of the season. With the rosters expanding in September, it’s possible that one of them could get the call-up back to the Yankees.
Scott Effross, 30, was traded from the Chicago Cubs at the 2022 trade deadline for Yankees’ right-handed pitching prospect Hayden Wesneski. Effross pitched 11 games for the Yankees in the 2022 season before he suffered a torn UCL, resulting in him getting Tommy John Surgery. He pitched 12.2 innings, with 12 strikeouts and an ERA of 2.13 for the Yankees in 2022. Effross made his MLB debut with the Cubs in 2021.
Effross also suffered a back injury this offseason, pushing his recovery back further. His fastball and sinker top out at around 93-94 mph when he is firing on all cylinders. He also throws a slider and sinker.
Effoss started his rehab assignment with the RailRiders on June 26 and pitched 22.2 innings, with 22 strikeouts and an ERA of 3.57 this season.
Nick Burdi, 31, is a five-year MLB veteran and received a non-roster invite from the Yankees this past Spring Training. Burdi made his MLB debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2018 and pitched with the Cubs in 2023. In 2023, Burdi got injured with Appendicitis and had Tommy John surgery with the Pirates in 2020.
This season, Burdi suffered right hip inflammation on April 18 and landed on the 15-day IL. He aggravated the injury on May 24 and was placed on the 60-day IL on May 24. Burdi was showing off a 100 mph fastball and wipeout slider with the Yankees and pitched 9.2 innings with 12 strikeouts and an ERA of 1.86 this season in MLB.
Burdi began his rehab assignment with the RailRiders on July 25. He’s pitched 7.2 innings, with 12 strikeouts and an ERA of 3.52 for the RailRiders this season. Burdi pitched one inning on August 17 against the Toronto Blue Jays Triple-A affiliate, the Buffalo Bisons. He struck out two batters, including Joey Votto, and gave up one run.
Nick Burdi Interview
Burdi spoke to World Baseball Network about his injuries, rehab, and time with the Yankees.
“It’s always frustrating getting injured, but it’s part of the game, and you just have to roll with it, keep going, and get out there when your name is called,” Burdi told World Baseball Network.
Burdi reflected on his current pitch arsenal and where it needs to be going forward.
“I think my stuff is there, but there’s still some things I need to work on. I feel like it’s those last little kinda tinkering things before we’re really off and running again,” Burdi said.
He feels his fastball velocity is good, and the slider is the last thing he needs to perfect. Burdi impressed enough during camp to earn a spot on the Yankees Opening Day. He looked back on his high points with the Yankees earlier in the season.
“Being on the Opening Day roster was cool and getting some outs in big spots early in the season, Burdi told World Baseball Network. “I think it’s just special anytime you get to put on an MLB uniform. When you put on the Yankee uniform, it means that much more, especially to the baseball World.”
Scott Effross Interview
Effross reflected on the trade from the Cubs to the Yankees, his injuries, rehab, and his favorite Yankees moments.
“Exciting is probably the first thing that comes to mind. Going from one historic franchise to another was a great opportunity, Effross told World Baseball Network.
Effross was acquired in 2022, when the Yankees were one of the best teams in baseball but lost the American League Championship to the Astros.
“In 2022, obviously, we won the division, which was super cool. That was my first taste of being able to do that,” Effross said. “Judge hit 62 that year, and Cole set the Yankees’ single-season strikeout record, and I was able to pitch in some cool moments.”
Effross was shut down on August 21, 2022, with a right shoulder strain. He returned to the Yankees on September 24, but the Yankees didn’t put him on the postseason roster. It was announced on October 11 that Effross would need Tommy John Surgery. He had a back injury that also required surgery this past offseason.
“I feel really good right now. It’s definitely been a long process to get back to the point that I am now, Effross said. “I’m just trying to stack appearances and get back to as close as I was in 2022.”
Effross pitched one scoreless inning with a strikeout against the Minnesota Twins Triple-A affiliate, the St. Paul Saints, on August 20.
Effross and Burdi are doing everything they can to put themselves in play for a return to MLB this season.
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WBN MLB: https://worldbaseball.com/league/mlb/
Photo Credit: New York Yankees Pitcher Nick Burdi (57) delivers a pitch during the eighth inning. (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
