Source: NJ.com
The Yankees recently signed left-handed reliever Tommy Layne to a major-league contract, and added him to the 25-man roster.
Layne, who was recently released by the Red Sox so they could open a spot for catcher Bryan Holaday, is known for almost exclusively pitching against lefties. The southpaw Layne has held lefties to a .175 batting average with only 7 extra-base hits in 265 plate appearances. This is a result of his special delivery abilities and his slider (one that same-sided hitters can’t seem to begin to even touch).
Layne pitched for much of last season with a pretty bad neck injury that affected his ability to throw secondary pitches. He received an epidural during the All-Star break in attempts to resolve the problems that were occurring as a result of his neck injury, and he could pitch through the pain when facing lefties, but consistently fell short when facing righties. Layne’s numbers were pretty good through May and June, but he’s allowed 6 hits and 2 walks in his past 2.1 innings and he hasn’t pitched since July 30.
Layne has spent five years in pro ball, 3 with the Red Sox and his first 2 seasons with the Padres. This season Layne has mostly thrown a sinker (at 91 mph) and cutter (at 87 mph) combo, with the occasional four-seamer, slider and change up.
The Yankees already have two left-handed relievers, Richard Bleier and Chasen Shreve, and it’s likely one of them will be returning to Triple-A as a result of Layne’s arrival.
Read more about Layne’s contract with the Yankees at http://www.nj.com/yankees/index.ssf/2016/08/whos_yankees_tommy_layne_meet_newest_reliever.html
~Gregory Hold