When the trade was made last July, it probably didn’t catch your attention. The Yankees traded an unknown player, Hayden Wesneski, to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for the side-arming reliever Scott Effross.
Fast forward to now, Wesneski is set to be the Cubs’ No. 5 starter as the season kicks off on Thursday, while Effross is expected to miss the entire season due to Tommy John surgery. Meanwhile, the Yankees are scrambling to address their rotation issues with multiple injured starters.
“I’m in a completely different position than I was six months ago,” Wesneski shared with the Chicago Tribune. “It’s been wild. I expected to be at Yankees camp in Tampa, so seeing where I am now is just astonishing.”
Wesneski’s strong showing in September solidified the Cubs’ belief in his readiness for a starting role. He posted a 2.18 ERA with a 3-2 record in six appearances, including four starts.
“His performance down the stretch and his ability to handle high-pressure situations, whether in New York or in front of sellout crowds at home, proves he won’t be fazed by the major-league intensity,” said Cubs manager David Ross. “That’s incredibly valuable.”
In the end, the trade might benefit both teams. Effross had a 2.66 ERA with the Cubs and a 2.13 ERA in 13 games with the Yankees, even being considered for the closer role.
However, after developing arm issues shortly after the trade, including a shoulder strain and subsequent elbow discomfort, Effross was diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament, requiring Tommy John surgery. He is not expected to return until next spring training.
“I don’t want to set a timeline,” Effross told NJ Advance Media. “It’s a long recovery, so I focus on the short-term steps rather than looking too far ahead. I feel good and am just working through the recovery process.”