BaseballNew York Yankees reliever Johnny Barbato Showing he Belongs by Staff Post April 14, 2016 zimbioEarly on in 2016, the New York Yankees starting pitchers have failed to give the Yankees length. As a matter of fact, only two pitchers, CC Sabathia, and Michael Pineda have given the team more than a five inning start.On Tuesday night, the Yankees took the field against the reigning American League East champion Toronto Blue Jays. Yankees starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka lasted five innings giving up two earned runs and leaving with the Yankees down 2-1.For a team that is known for its dominant bullpen that consists of Dellin Betances, Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman, there is still a question mark as to who is going to pitch the sixth and seventh when the Yankees starters do not have long outings.Enter Johnny Barbato.Barbato, a Miami, Florida native made the Yankees roster out of spring training. So far at the big league level, he has shown he belongs. Barbato is being used as a middle man or what some are calling, “the bridge” from the Yankees starters to the back of their bullpen.In 3.1 innings pitched so far this season, the 23-year old is currently 1-0 and has not allowed a run only giving up one hit.Barbato has thrown in the upper-90s consistently and has been a reliable relief pitcher for the Yankees.The Yankees can platoon Barbato with left-hander Chasen Shreve in the middle-innings and make their already great bullpen even better.Ideally, the Yankees would like to have their starting pitching get more than five innings, but early in the season Barbato has shown he can fill in and provide even more relief depth. Post Views: 1,225The following two tabs change content below.BioLatest PostsStaff PostLatest posts by Staff Post (see all) In The Zone Announces Initial Podcast Lineup - November 13, 2020 The Essential Resources You Need to Start Your Own Gym in 2020 - February 6, 2020 Wilder vs Fury II – How the second fight will be different to the first? - February 5, 2020 Early turnovers, defensive struggles plague the Scarlet Knights - January 26, 2020 Related TopicsAndrew MillerbullpenChasen ShreveJohnny BarbatoNew York Yankees Click to comment You must be logged in to post a comment Login Leave a Reply Cancel replyYou must be logged in to post a comment.Newsletter SubscriptionCan't Miss Posts! Fighting Words: Bellator is Giving Hardy the Credit She Deserves by Kristine Haugsjaa | posted on October 20, 2017 Women in Sports: NHL Network Host, Jackie Redmond by Nicholas Durst | posted on March 4, 2019 MetLife Stadium to host Army-Navy Game in 2021 by Kelly Lynn | posted on August 23, 2017 The Story of the NHL’s First Armenian, Zach Bogosian and His Biggest Fan by Anthony Paradiso | posted on September 12, 2020 Women in Sports Interview Series: It’s a sure bet with Philadelphia native, Erin Kate Dolan (VIDEO) by Denise Gonzalez | posted on March 17, 2020More in Baseball You Know I’m Right, Episode 112: New York Jets’ Insider Brian Costello (Audio/Video)On the 112th episode of You Know I’m Right, Nick Durst and Joe Calabrese are joined by... You Know I’m Right, Episode 109: The Athletic’s Marc Carig (Audio/Video)On the 109th episode of You Know I’m Right, Nick Durst and Joe Calabrese are joined by... You Know I’m Right, Episode 108: WFAN’s Sweeny Murti (Audio/Video)On the 108th episode of You Know I’m Right, Nick Durst and Joe Calabrese are joined by... You Know I’m Right, Episode 107: New York Post’s Columnist Mike Vaccaro (Audio/Video)On the 107th episode of You Know I’m Right, Nick Durst and Joe Calabrese are joined by... Somerset Patriots Sign RHP Scott McGregor Swisher Salute: Nick Swisher Back with Yankees