Former Yankees Lefty Struggles to Find the Plate After Home Run Woes

Andrew Heaney’s final spring outing was underwhelming but he at least logged some work. In a 5-3 loss to the Chicago Cubs in Mesa, Heaney, the only starter not sidelined by injury or the World Baseball Classic, allowed 11 baserunners and five runs over 4.2 innings.

Despite the struggles, he threw over 80 pitches, the highest for any Rangers starter this spring. Last year, Heaney boasted an impressive strikeout-to-walk ratio (110 to 19), but in Arizona, he struggled with control, issuing six walks, hitting three batters, and striking out 14.

“I was just trying to do the most basic thing, throw strike one to get the ball over the plate,” Heaney remarked. “It was just not a good day. You have those ‘I suck’ outings sometimes. It was not my best stuff or my best results, but unfortunately, that happens sometimes.”

During his stint with the Yankees, Heaney was moved to the bullpen after posting a 6.23 ERA in five starts. Things deteriorated further as he recorded a 10.24 ERA in seven relief appearances. Yankees fans recall Heaney’s frequent “I suck” days and can be relieved he is now experiencing them with another team.