Colon Giving It His Best Shot

Colon has been impressive this spring,
auditioning for the Yankees rotation.

With Cliff Lee opting to sign with his former team, the Philadelphia Phillies in the offseason and Andy Pettitte calling it a career after 16 big league seasons, it's no secret the New York Yankees rotation has some question marks.


The Yankees signed right-hander Bartolo Colon to Minor League contract and an invite to spring training back in January for a chance to make their staff. Colon has done his best to impress the New York and manager Joe Girardi.

Colon has pitched nine innings this spring, giving up three earned runs on eight hits while striking out 12 and only walking one.

Colon is competing with veterans Freddy Garica and Sergio Mitre along with youngster Ivan Nova for the final two spots in the Yankee rotation. With all four of them are pitching extremely well this spring, Garica and Nova are the predicted front-runners to land those two spots.

Although, the two-time All-Star, who did not pitch at all in 2010, last pitching in the majors with the Chicago White Sox in 2009, is making his case be heard. Colon is a former Cy Young Award winner, winning 21 games for the Angels in 2005. Since that time, Colon has only appeared in 48 games, posting a 14-21 record with a 5.18 earned run average.

At 37, Colon is no longer the power arm he once was throwing in the mid-to-upper 90s. He has learned to pitch and the importance of first pitch strikes. After raising eye brows coming into camp seemingly out of shape and weighing in at 265 pounds, Colon looks as good as ever a may be resurrecting his career. If Colon does not make the 25-man roster out of spring training, you can be sure the phone will be ringing with plenty of other suitors.

Girardi seems to have a problem on his hands with the competition reaching its peak and getting better everyday. It's a problem that he will not soon complain about.