New York Yankees righty Chance Adams can’t wait to test his post-surgical right arm at spring training. This includes his velocity.
Chance Adams finds himself in a familiar big-league pitching situation.
On the heels of a rough season post-surgery designed to remove bone spurs from his elbow, the 24-year-old New York Yankees righty is extremely anxious to get to Tampa, Florida, via Greg Joyce of the New York Post.
“They said it usually takes a season and a half or so for full recovery,” said Adams, who had the surgery after the 2017 season. “It is a simple surgery, but the bone has to heal. They went in and literally took off part of the bone.
“I hope that’s the reason [for the diminished velocity]. I like throwing hard. It’s fun.”
It truly is fun to throw hard (for those select mega-humans who can pull it off).
Number 43 enjoys a grand total of one game started (three total appearances) in the big leagues. His 7.04 ERA is a number that needs little attention due to the logical cup of coffee experienced this past season.
Prior to the surgery, Adams’s fastball ranged from 93-97. Post surgery in 2018, he could only muster 90-93. His 4.78 ERA in Scranton with the RailRiders marked the highest number of his brief career.
Adams also deploys a curve (79 m.p.h.) and slider (85 m.p.h.) with rare use of his changeup (85 m.p.h.).
“We’ll see. Maybe [surgery] wasn’t a reason. We’ll know,” said Adams, who noted his velocity was also down late in the 2017 season before getting the bone spurs removed. “It would be weird if it just went away for no reason. I haven’t done anything different.”
“I’ve proven I can be a starter,” he said. “It just depends on the opportunities you get and how everything works out. It’s not up to me. I can [only] go out and do my best.”
Through it all, Chance Adams’s lone goal remains steadfast.
“I just want to pitch and be in the big leagues,” he said.
New York Yankees pitchers and catchers officially report on Feb. 13, 2019.
